A recent study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal suggests the risk for dementia is strongest for certain classes of anticholinergic drugs — particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinics, antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs.

For the full article, click here.

It’s often difficult for pregnant or breastfeeding women to obtain data regarding the safe use of prescription drugs, particularly given it can take more than 20 years to collect reliable safety info on drugs after they come to market. An international effort is underway to improve information in this critical area.

To read the full article, click here.

It was a busy Spring for MISSD and we’re excited to share all our good news as well as our plans for a productive summer of programming and development. This includes a 100K grant, a royal presentation in London and a meaningful podcast series of personal stories all should hear.

Check out the link below for more info!

PDF MISSD Newsletter

Today the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced it is advising that commonly prescribed drugs called  selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) should carry warnings that about the risks of long term sexual dysfunction as an adverse effect. Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil are just a few of many brand-name SSRIs. 

To read the full article, click here.

The veteran suicide rate is at an all-time high and veterans are increasingly over-medicated. Could akathisia awareness prevent many of these deaths?  Click here to listen.

Health and safety advocates around the globe have long been calling for revised prescribing guidelines regarding SSRIs, to include information about possible long-lasting withdrawal problems. Today the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) published a new position paper seeming to call for new prescribing guidelines. The paper notes withdrawal problems for some people taking SSRIs (a drug class that includes Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil) appear to be more severe than many psychiatrists previously recognized.

MISSD will be presenting akathisia info at the RCP summer conference and hopes increased akathisia awareness will lead to meaningful changes.

To read the RCP paper, click here.

To read related articles, click here and here and here.

Michael Tellerino, host of K9’s for Veterans, will interview Wendy Dolin on tomorrow’s show. The topic is veterans who experience akathisia.

For more info, click here.

MISSD is pleased to see our public service video shared in the UK press. Psychiatrists are calling for prescribing guidelines to be updated given that SSRI withdrawal symptoms are often misdiagnosed and mistreated. SSRIs are a class of drugs that includes Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.

To see the MISSD video and full article, click here.

The New York Times reports data doesn’t justify gabapentin as a prescription for pain. If you or a loved one is taking gabapentin, watch for side effects including depression, mood changes and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

To read the article, click here.

Akathisia can occur when consumers start, stop or change a dose of certain medications. Given that some consumers skip medication due to high drug prices, it is good to see lawmakers address drug pricing issues.

For more information, click here.