October 3, 2019 at 3:41 pm
In episode 4 of Akathisia Stories, we hear from international drug safety advocate, Kim Witczak, who discusses the akathisia-induced death of her late husband, Woody, and her subsequent advocacy.
“Woody took the three-week sample pack, did what the doctor said – you know, take week one, week two,” says Kim, who was out of the country on a business trip when Woody started taking Zoloft as prescribed. When Kim came home, she saw Woody drenched with sweat. “He dropped his briefcase at the backdoor; went into a fetal position on our kitchen floor with his hands wrapped around his head like a vice, going: ‘Help me, Kim; help me. I don’t know what’s happening to me. It’s like my head’s outside my body looking in.’”
October 2, 2019 at 3:05 pm
A large European study finds that more than 50% of patients who are prescribed drugs marketed as antidepressants do not receive enough information about the purpose of the treatments they are prescribed. Nearly 80% of patients are also given no explanation about the drugs’ potential adverse effects.
Get the full story here.
September 26, 2019 at 5:32 pm
Producer Andy Miles features an Akathisia Stories podcast extra: Drug safety advocate Kim Witczak discusses the birth of MISSD, her experiences on the FDA advisory panel, and how making akathisia a household word can reduce suffering and save lives. Listen here.
September 24, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Zoloft is not effective in treating depressive symptoms, finds 6-week study. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals are the makers of Zoloft, the marketing name for sertraline. Read the full story here.
September 23, 2019 at 4:29 pm
The fourth episode of our Akathisia Stories podcast features Kim Witczack who discusses her late husband, Woody, and his akathisia-induced death. Kim’s tireless advocacy began years ago when she filed a lawsuit against Zoloft maker, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Today Kim serves on many boards and is a consumer representative on the FDA Psychopharmacologic Drug Advisory Committee.
Listen to the podcast here.
Read the transcript here.
September 22, 2019 at 8:40 am
Adverse effects from asthma drug include “nightmares, seeing grotesque things while awake & being gripped by suicidal urges after taking the drug, also known by the brand name Singulair.” Many were never warned of the risks & their adverse experiences were dismissed.
September 20, 2019 at 10:19 am
Adverse drug effects, patient safety and suicide prevention initiatives are increasingly in the news. Yet much of the public remains unaware of akathisia. Please help MISSD change that by using Twitter hashtag #AkathisiaMatters and sharing today’s news release.
September 17, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Anyone. Anywhere. Any time.
Our free, 1-hour accredited course is designed for your schedule. Start the course today and finish at your own pace. Log in at https://missd.learnupon.com/users/sign_up
Together we can save lives by increasing akathisia awareness.
September 14, 2019 at 7:46 am
The FDA “has detected a “probable” cancer-causing chemical” in Zantac, a common heartburn medication. It is available in over-the-counter and prescription form. Consumers who take the prescription version and want to stop taking it should “consult their doctors to discuss other treatments,” recommends the FDA.
September 12, 2019 at 7:39 am
Merck’s Propecia drug is responsible for man’s death at age 40, states widow whose lawsuit alleges the pharma company knew for years that their product could cause persistent sexual dysfunction and depression, but it concealed this data. More than 1,100 other families have also filed Propecia lawsuits.