The Prozac Survivors group points to Magdalena Lopez as an example of violence caused by SSRIs. The 30-year-old Indiana mother recently murdered her two young sons while on one of the drugs.
At least 80,000 women each year in this country are being prescribed these drugs during pregnancy, according to researchers estimates. SSRIs are still being prescribed to pregnant women even though a May 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that pregnant women who take SSRIs late in pregnancy raise the risk that their babies will suffer jitteriness, irritability and serious respiratory problems during their first couple of weeks.
Leitsch finds it unacceptable that pregnant women and new mothers are still being prescribed drugs that have been known to induce violence and suicide for more than a decade. "In 1991, there was evidence of 500 deaths associated with antidepressants presented to an FDA Advisory Committee hearing investigating Prozac," she said.
"The failure to issue the warning has led to more suicides, homicides, school shooters and mothers killing their own children," she added. According to Lietsch, 36 million Americans are taking the antidepressant drugs.
"These are extremely dangerous drugs that should have been banned, as similar drugs were in the past. Federal investigations into the violence-inducing effects of these drugs are long overdue," Tracy said. "The scientific evidence behind this has been out there for decades. All anyone ever had to do was read it," she says.
The group provided details of several other high profile cases where mothers have killed their children:
" In October 2002, Annie Mae Haskew smothered her 10-week-old son after being diagnosed with postpartum depression and placed on antidepressants.
" Andrea Yates drowned her five children in the family bathtub in November 2004, while taking the antidepressants Effexor and Remeron, prescribed at maximum dose.
" Dena Schlosser killed her 10-month-old daughter in November 2004 by severing the baby's arms after being diagnosed with postpartum depression, hospitalized and prescribed psychiatric medication for depression.
" On July 26, 2004, Mary Ellen Moffitt suffocated her 5-week-old infant and herself. She had been diagnosed with postpartum depression and was taking Paxil.
" Emiri Padron smothered her baby daughter on June 22, 2004 and then stabbed herself twice in the chest. Emiri was receiving psychiatric treatment and investigators found Zoloft in her apartment after the incident.
Late last year FDA directed manufacturers to add a "black box" warning to the health professional labeling of all SSRIs to describe the risk of suicide in children, and emphasize the need for close monitoring of patients when started on these drugs.
On July 1, 2005, the FDA advised health care providers and adult patients to be aware of the following:
Adults being treated with antidepressant medicines, particularly those being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior.
Close observation of adults may be especially important when antidepressant medications are started for the first time or when doses for the specific drugs prescribed have been changed.
Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressants, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should be evaluated by their health care professional.
At least 80,000 women each year in this country are being prescribed these drugs during pregnancy, according to researchers estimates. SSRIs are still being prescribed to pregnant women even though a May 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that pregnant women who take SSRIs late in pregnancy raise the risk that their babies will suffer jitteriness, irritability and serious respiratory problems during their first couple of weeks.
Leitsch finds it unacceptable that pregnant women and new mothers are still being prescribed drugs that have been known to induce violence and suicide for more than a decade. "In 1991, there was evidence of 500 deaths associated with antidepressants presented to an FDA Advisory Committee hearing investigating Prozac," she said.
"The failure to issue the warning has led to more suicides, homicides, school shooters and mothers killing their own children," she added. According to Lietsch, 36 million Americans are taking the antidepressant drugs.
The group provided details of several other high profile cases where mothers have killed their children:
" In October 2002, Annie Mae Haskew smothered her 10-week-old son after being diagnosed with postpartum depression and placed on antidepressants.
" Andrea Yates drowned her five children in the family bathtub in November 2004, while taking the antidepressants Effexor and Remeron, prescribed at maximum dose.
" Dena Schlosser killed her 10-month-old daughter in November 2004 by severing the baby's arms after being diagnosed with postpartum depression, hospitalized and prescribed psychiatric medication for depression.
" On July 26, 2004, Mary Ellen Moffitt suffocated her 5-week-old infant and herself. She had been diagnosed with postpartum depression and was taking Paxil.
" Emiri Padron smothered her baby daughter on June 22, 2004 and then stabbed herself twice in the chest. Emiri was receiving psychiatric treatment and investigators found Zoloft in her apartment after the incident.
Late last year FDA directed manufacturers to add a "black box" warning to the health professional labeling of all SSRIs to describe the risk of suicide in children, and emphasize the need for close monitoring of patients when started on these drugs.
On July 1, 2005, the FDA advised health care providers and adult patients to be aware of the following:
Adults being treated with antidepressant medicines, particularly those being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior.
Close observation of adults may be especially important when antidepressant medications are started for the first time or when doses for the specific drugs prescribed have been changed.
Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressants, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should be evaluated by their health care professional.
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