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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Fungalfoot on October 1, 2006, at 12:28:17
I'm no lawyer but I think the legal profession is missing something here - a chance to make some really fat fees. I'm talking about withdrawal. I am a brand new newbie to this site but I have been struck by the suffering of people struggling to come off medication. You have my sympathy and best wishes for a speedy and safe recovery. I am battling to come off Zyprexa but my struggle is peanuts compared to what some people are going through.
And why are they going through it? Simply because the big drug companies didn't have the foresight, or consideration for their customers, to provide a withdrawal plan. I reckon if they can promote the use of their products they should also provide their customers with advice on how to come off the drug. But maybe they don't want us to come off the medication. Maybe they just want us to keep on taking the tablets and keep on providing them with their fat profits.
We all know that some of these drugs are downright dangerous. Coming off them is a painful process. I believe the big drug companies are failing in their duty of care to the customers who use their products. Their duty of care should comprise a warning that the drug in question is habit forming and they should provide research tested advice on how to come off the drug. I believe that the FDA should not licence a drug unless there is a withdrawal strategy included in the information leaflet.
One could also argue that the FDA has failed in its duty of care to the nation whenever a drug is licenced without a withdrawal strategy.
I would welcome a multi-billion dollar class action to make the fat cat Drug Companies pay for their failure to provide withdrawal care. :-))
Posted by notfred on October 1, 2006, at 12:28:17
In reply to Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Companies, posted by Fungalfoot on September 27, 2006, at 12:12:26
Drug monographs carry warnings for
discontinuation & the past outcomes
from legal actions of this nature is
in favor of drug companies.
Discontinuation of Treatment with Prozac — During marketing of Prozac and other SSRIs
and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), there have been spontaneous
reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when
abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory
disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache,
lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, and hypomania. While these events are generally
self-limiting, there have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms. Patients should be
monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with Prozac. A gradual reduction in
the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable
symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then
resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may
continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate. Plasma fluoxetine and norfluoxetine
concentration decrease gradually at the conclusion of therapy, which may minimize the risk of
discontinuation symptoms with this drug (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2006, at 14:55:17
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani, posted by notfred on September 30, 2006, at 15:46:27
I think this will be redirected to meds but for what it's worth if the antidepressants are laden with withdrawal symptoms why the big fusss over benzos? Love Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on October 2, 2006, at 2:54:53
In reply to Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Companies, posted by Fungalfoot on September 27, 2006, at 12:12:26
A withdrawal plan is a really good idea. At the moment their strategy seems to be 'if you have trouble stopping taking them then... keep taking them!'
I wonder if it is part of their strategy of getting people to keep on taking their meds...
But then I wonder if decreased sexual desire is an intended or unintended side effect too...
So I might be a bit paranoid or something ;-)
But yeah, a withdrawal plan is a good idea. I'm not even sure how good the drug companies are with realistic portrayals of side effects from taking the meds.
Posted by alexandra_k on October 2, 2006, at 2:56:04
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani » notfred, posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2006, at 14:55:17
> I think this will be redirected to meds but for what it's worth if the antidepressants are laden with withdrawal symptoms why the big fusss over benzos? Love Phillipa
Probably because there haven't been any cases of people having to go to detox / drug treatment / drug rehab programs / NA to get off antidepressants...
Posted by alexandra_k on October 2, 2006, at 2:56:44
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani » Phillipa, posted by alexandra_k on October 2, 2006, at 2:56:04
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2006, at 21:04:45
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani » Phillipa, posted by alexandra_k on October 2, 2006, at 2:56:04
Ahhhh but if you read the withdrawal board that's the next step. Love Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on October 6, 2006, at 17:28:54
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani » alexandra_k, posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2006, at 21:04:45
Anyone wonder if the drug companies kinda live with the side effects of their drugs on purpose?
Anyone heard of a madechi family (probably spelt wrong). They were this family... Around the time of alchemy I think. They used to give their servants a little tiny bit of mercury (I think) in their food. Just a little tiny bit. The servants didn't know. Gradually over time they built up the amount.
If the servant left the service of the family they would therefore die of murcury withdrawal. They had to stay with the family...
Anybody thinking of Effexor yet?
What do the companies say to do if you experience side effects?
Keep taking the drug of course.
Of course.
Posted by ronaldo on October 8, 2006, at 13:04:18
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani, posted by alexandra_k on October 6, 2006, at 17:28:54
The FDA surely have a role in this.
I think they should only licence a drug if the manufacturer provides a well researched withdrawal plan.
...ronaldo (used to be fungalfoot)
Posted by Squiggles on November 5, 2006, at 8:50:05
In reply to Re: Legal Responsibilities of the big Drug Compani » notfred, posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2006, at 14:55:17
> I think this will be redirected to meds but for what it's worth if the antidepressants are laden with withdrawal symptoms why the big fusss over benzos? Love Phillipa
Benzos are horrible to withdraw from -- you
can search my stories here. I never knew
that antiderpessants were also bad (lithium
which i take is atypical, but does allow the
manic-depression to return).I think we need more psychopharmacologists.
Doctors are just beginning to realize that
certain ADs and benzos are very problematic
this way. And drug companies are just starting
to put discontinuation alerts on the monographs.I don't know which w/d is worse -- Effexor sounds terrible from what i have read along with other SSRIs, but i can assure you that in my case, clonazepam has been impossible. I mean death is a likely possibility from seizures -- *that* warning actually appears on an old MERCK manual for doctors.
Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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