New Antidepressant Gets Another Warning Label
Do you think the FDA is out to get depressed people? Based on its unfathomable approval record – giving the go-ahead to clearly dangerous drugs – that seems to be the only possible explanation. And now Pristiq, one of the newest antidepressants, is racking up even more ways to make depressed people even sicker.
It's still barely out of the gate, and already Pristiq is slapped with yet another warning.
Turns out Pristiq could raise your blood pressure – even with the lowest possible dose.
The new warning is being added to what's already there: one black-box warning about 'suicidal thinking and behavior,' and quite a few other general warnings – like increased risk for abnormal bleeding, narrow- angle glaucoma, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, seizure, and hyponatremia (a dangerously low blood sodium level). Mind you, these are existing warnings for Pristiq... which, in FDAspeak, count more than mere adverse events. And there are plenty of them included in the prescribing information, too.
This clearly dangerous drug should never have been approved...and it looks like doctors agree. In fact, the sales figures have been downright depressing for Wyeth. Maybe they should start taking Pristiq.
Michele Cagan is an alternative health researcher and reporter. Ms. Cagan authored the alternative health book, Act 50 Think 40 Feel 30 - The Doctor's Secrets to Living Younger Everyday (Agora Health Books), with Allan Spreen, M.D.
Ms. Cagan is also a contributing writer and researcher for Health Science Institute.

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