February 19, 2020 at 1:33 pm

Mom Shares Son’s Asthma Drug Adverse Effects to Increase Public Awareness

Laura, who informed the FDA in hopes of adding a black box warning on the asthma drug, Singular, states the drug caused her son “severe, debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms.”

This type of reaction typically occurs “with the abrupt discontinuation of centrally acting medications, like antidepressants or benzodiazepines. It is often referred to as a “withdrawal syndrome” and can last for weeks, months, or years as the brain recalibrates.”

Read the full story here: https://medshadow.org/drug-induced-side-effects/

February 18, 2020 at 4:43 pm

Lyrica Possibly Linked to Suicidality and other Adverse Drug Effects

Consumers state Lyrica, made by Pfizer pharmaceuticals, caused suicidal thoughts, brain fog and drug-induced anorexia.

Read the full article at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-18/lyrica-pbs-drug-linked-to-depression-anxiety/11921882?fbclid=IwAR3_53Mp6tkTyIEEGD_gAzbf6CQS2T2VC0oQPKeIILiNEwLY8E4do-hFyg0

February 12, 2020 at 1:34 pm

BMJ’s New Survey Aims to Help Docs Understand Drug Withdrawal

As more people share their factual experiences when trying to stop drugs marketed as antidepressants, the British Medical Journal is releasing a survey for general practitioners in hope of helping doctors understand the adverse effects many consumers experience when trying to stop taking SSRIs. Read the full article here.

February 8, 2020 at 9:02 am

Akathisia Video Highlights Need for Better Medical Education

Today’s video sharing Jordan Peterson’s akathisia experience highlights the critical need for increased awareness and better medical education regarding adverse drug effects.
Jordan Peterson is a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Toronto who has traveled across the globe to receive effective medical care for akathisia and benzo withdrawal problems. Watch his family’s update here.
February 6, 2020 at 3:25 pm

Acne Drug Risks in the News

At the end of 2019, the Guardian reports that “ten out 12 deaths connected to Roaccutane were by “suicide” – the highest since records began in 1983.” Parents of loved one’s lost are speaking up to share their concerns about adverse drug effects precipitating iatrogenic deaths.
Get the full story here.
February 5, 2020 at 11:15 am

BBC Documentary to Spotlight Drug Withdrawal Problems

The BBC has increasingly covered critical adverse drug effects to include withdrawal problems associated with SSRI drugs marketed as antidepressants. Many different drugs can cause withdrawal akathisia when stopping or changing dosage. If you’d like to be considered for participation in the BBC’s upcoming documentary about drug withdrawal problems, please visit the Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry here. 

 

February 3, 2020 at 12:02 pm

Data Shows Undiagnosed Akathisia Leads to Many Avoidable Deaths

More than 50% of suicide cases are “either misdiagnosed or unrecognized by psychiatrists. Additionally, over 50% of these suicide deaths occurred within hours to 30 days of last clinical contact” according to data from the Council on Behavioral Health’s 2017 Director’s Report.
Read the full article here.

 

January 31, 2020 at 2:31 pm

Drug Regulators Don’t Recommend Former “Party Drug” Due to Withdrawal Concerns

Esketamine, a drug that has been used as a “recreational party drug,” is being marketed as Spravato by Janssen Pharmaceuticals who claim it is effective for “treatment-resistant depression.” European drug regulators, NICE, recently announced it does not recommend Janssen’s product citing “concerns over the effect of stopping esketamine treatment, whether symptom improvements will continue and if these can improve someone’s quality of life.”
Read the full story here.
January 30, 2020 at 4:02 pm

International Committee Proposes New Conflicts of Interest Disclosures

The International Committe of Medical Journal Editors is recommending new changes to better ensure readers have accurate info regarding authors possible conflicts of interests, reports the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Many stakeholders — editors, peer reviewers, clinicians, educators, policymakers, patients, and the public — rely on the disclosure of authors’ relationships and activities to inform their assessments. Trust in the transparency, consistency, and completeness of these disclosures is essential.”
Read the full article here.
January 28, 2020 at 2:16 pm

Lown Institute Releases New Report About Deprescribing

The Lown Institute’s new report, “Eliminate Medication Overload,” can help Americans reduce the risks of adverse drug effects. Lown states, “each additional drug a person takes increases the risk of suffering serious, sometimes even deadly, harm and every day, 750 Americans age 65 and older are hospitalized due to a serious side effect associated with taking multiple medications.”
It is recommended that patients and prescribers regularly review medications and discuss ways to reduce or discontinue those that may be harmful or no longer needed.
Read the prescription check-up report here.