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Big Pharma Promotes Antidepressant Use in Pregnancy Despite Birth Defects
While SSRI antidepressants are arguably still the most consumed drug class in the United States, sales peaked in 2008 and have declined by 4 percent every year since, according to Research and Markets.
There are many reasons for declining selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) sales from unwanted side effects like weight gain and sexual dysfunction to “Prozac Poop-out” in which patients develop tolerance and the pills quit working.
Still, a major reason for declining sales are SSRI’s strong links to suicide and birth defects.
In 2004, the FDA added “Black Box” warnings to SSRIs, highlighting suicide risks and the need for close monitoring of children and adolescents for suicidal thoughts and behavior. Reaction from pro-drug doctors who appeared to be defending industry sales was swift. The warnings might scare away doctors and patients, they objected—as if that weren’t the point of warnings. The pro-drug voices even tried—unsuccessfully—to blame the warnings for a rise in suicides. Unfortunately, they were using data from the wrong year.
Philosophers stone – selected views from the boat http://philosophers-stone.co.uk
Source: http://www.philosophers-stone.co.uk/?p=13186
