UK's MHRA: Wyeth's Effexor May Raise Overdose Risks

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atracyphd2

Thu, 8 Jun 2006 20:37:36 EDT

[drugawareness] UK's MHRA: Wyeth's Effexor May Raise Overdose

Risks

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that Andrea Yates was taking high doses of Effexor

(450mgs) and was dropped by 150mgs to the maximum dose previously considered

safe of 300mgs just two days before she drowned her five small children.

Effexor withdrawal is deadly to the brain and the body throwing both into

shock.

 

These new warnings concern heart risks of Effexor. Dr. Candace Pert,

who headed the brain chemistry department at NIH for 13 years and helped

discover the serotonin binding process making the SSRI antidepressants

possible, warned of the serious heart risks of the SSRIs and SNRIs eight years

ago. She spoke out publicly calling these drugs " monsters " - monsters she is

alarmed to have been connected to their development in any way.

 

Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D.,

Executive Director, International Coalition For Drug Awareness

Web site: _www.drugawareness.org_ (http://www.drugawareness.org/)

Author: Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? - Our Serotonin Nightmare

& CD or audio tape on safe withdrawal: " Help! I Can't Get

Off My Antidepressant! " (800-280-0730)

 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said in a

statement that severely depressed patients taking doses of 300 milligrams or

more a day of Effexor, also known as venlafaxine, should be supervised by

specialists.

Doctors will be alerted to risks for heart patients and people with

hypertension, the MHRA said.

 

 

_http://www.therapeuticsdaily.com/news/article.cfm?contenttype=sentryarticle & c

ontentvalue=931312 & channelID=30_

(http://www.therapeuticsdaily.com/news/article.cfm?contenttype=sentryarticle & con\

tentvalue=931312 & channelID=30)

 

 

Wyeth's Effexor May Raise Overdose Risks For Some-MHRA

 

Dow Jones - May. 31, 2006

 

(http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/TherapeuticsDaily/cns_cat;sz=300x250;ord=[timest\

amp]?)

 

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Wyeth (WYE) antidepressant drug Effexor may raise overdose

risks for some patients, a U.K. regulatory review said

Wednesday.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said in a

statement that severely depressed patients taking doses of 300 milligrams or

more a day of Effexor, also known as venlafaxine, should be supervised by

specialists.

Doctors will be alerted to risks for heart patients and people with

hypertension, the MHRA said.

" We are writing to healthcare professionals to ensure they are fully

informed of the updated information on Effexor to allow them to make

informed prescribing decisions, said Dr. June Raine, the agency's director, in

the statement released on the agency's Web site.

" Patients already taking Effexor should make a routine appointment

with their doctor, so that their treatment can be reviewed, " Raine said,

adding: " For most patients, no changes to their treatment will be needed. "

The warnings, which will also be included in a patient information

leaflet packaged with drug, include a suggestion that patients review their

treatment with their doctors. The drug will be available in a smaller pack

sizes too, the agency said.

Web sites: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home

www.wyeth.com/

-By Sten Stovall, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 207 842 9292;

sten.stoval

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 31, 2006 13:54 ET (17:54 GMT)