Suicidality in Children & Adults Taking SSRI Antidepressants: Australia

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Wed, 10 Aug 2005 02:40:46 -0000

[drugawareness] Suicidality in Children & Adults Taking SSRI

Antidepressants: Australia

 

 

 

The Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin included the following

statement:

 

" ADRAC also reiterated warnings about the risk of suicidality in

children and adults taking SSRI antidepressants. The Therapeutic

Goods Administration recently instructed SSRI manufacturers to update

their product information with more specific warnings on the risk. "

 

" The warnings advise that patients should be closely monitored in the

first weeks of treatment, and after a change in dose, for worsening

illness, suicidal or self-harm thoughts, and behaviour. "

 

http://news.australiandoctor.com.au/articles/cf/0c0352cf.asp

 

by Bianca Nogrady

 

CONCERNS about muscle disorders linked to the lipid-lowering drug

ezetimibe (Ezetrol) have been flagged in the latest Australian

Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin.

 

The Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee drew attention to side

effects such as myalgia, muscle cramps, weakness and pain associated

with the drug in the August edition of the bulletin.

 

Forty-four incidents of muscle disorders have been reported to ADRAC

since ezetimibe was registered in June 2003. In almost half of cases,

the symptoms developed within two weeks of starting the medication.

Twenty-one patients had a history of muscle disorders or increased

creatine kinase associated with statin use. Myalgia and myopathy are

listed as possible adverse effects of ezetimibe when used with

statins.

 

ADRAC also reiterated warnings about the risk of suicidality in

children and adults taking SSRI antidepressants. The Therapeutic

Goods Administration recently instructed SSRI manufacturers to update

their product information with more specific warnings on the risk.

 

The warnings advise that patients should be closely monitored in the

first weeks of treatment, and after a change in dose, for worsening

illness, suicidal or self-harm thoughts, and behaviour.

 

The bulletin also alerted doctors to the unusual and rare adverse

effect of pathological gambling in patients taking the dopamine

agonist cabergoline (Cabaser) for Parkinson?s disease.

 

ADRAC had received four reports of pathological gambling that emerged

shortly after patients, who were already on long-term levodopa

therapy, started taking cabergoline.