Monthly Archives: November 2010

Quarter of children with sleep problems being put on psych drugs

The most glaring omission in this study is whether the children who were having sleep problems, and who were all under psychiatric “care”, were being prescribed psychostimulants (Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta) in the first place. These drugs are in the same category of highly addictive substances as cocaine according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. That would account for the children’s inability to sleep. And instead of referring to this condition as “sleep disorder” a term which enables psychiatrists to prescribe even more drugs, we should demand to know what drugs psychiatrists had prescribed these children that stripped them of one of the most vital natural functions every child needs—sleep.

Antipsychotic Drug Seroquel— Diabetes Lawsuits Hurt AstraZeneca Profits

Among Seroquel side effects is a reported increased risk of Seroquel diabetes. According to the UK Press Association, AstraZeneca set aside $203 million to resolve approximately 18,000 claims in the US that Seroquel, a schizophrenia treatment, caused diabetes and other serious Seroquel side effects. A further $270 million was reportedly put aside for other claims and to cover AstraZeneca’s legal costs. In August 2010, AstraZeneca said it settled approximately 17,500 lawsuits alleging Seroquel caused diabetes and other injuries for approximately $200 million. The lawsuits alleged the drug maker failed to adequately warn patients about the drugs’ risks.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs linked to brain damage 30 years ago

Secret documents reveal that government-funded experts were warned nearly 30 years ago that tranquillisers that were later prescribed to millions of people could cause brain damage.However, no such work was ever carried out into the effects of drugs such as Valium, Mogadon and Librium – and doctors went on prescribing them to patients for anxiety, stress, insomnia and muscle spasms.

MPs and lawyers described the documents as a scandal, and predicted they could lead the way to a class action costing millions. There are an estimated 1.5 million “involuntary addicts” in the UK, and scores display symptoms consistent with brain damage.

EDITORIAL: Why are doctors writing so many prescriptions?

Grassley, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to state Medicaid agencies earlier this year, asking them to list their top 10 prescribers of eight drugs commonly used in psychiatry. It may be that these doctors have good reasons for writing the most prescriptions for these drugs, such as OxyContin and Xanax, but it might also point out instances of overuse or even fraud. In Florida, for example, one physician wrote 96,685 prescriptions for mental health drugs over a 21-month period. That works out to more than 150 prescriptions a day, seven days a week, for nearly two years.

Antidepressant Drugs Are Not Safe During Pregnancy—No Matter What the Pharma Shills Say

Medical News Today published an article entitled “Increased Depression Screening Needed During Pregnancy, Study Says,” that is so highly misleading, we wonder if they ever bother checking the validity of what they’re forwarding under the guise of “medical news.” We’re going to make this really simple—the findings are bogus not to mention highly misleading and dangerous to anyone who would believe in the validity of this so-called study.