Study finds benzodiazepine prescriptions doubled during a 12-year period with more doctors prescribing them for conditions other than insomnia and anxiety.

“The problem is in the long term, they lead to more problems than they solve,” said Dr. Anna Lembke, Medical Director of addiction medicine at Stanford University. “People develop a tolerance, and they need more and more to get the same effect. They develop a dependence, finding when they don’t take them their anxiety is worse. And they think, ‘Oh, I need it because I have an anxiety disorder,’ but in many instances they’re actually medicating withdrawal from the last dose, so you can get into this vicious cycle.”

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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Together we can save lives by increasing akathisia awareness.

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.

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