Antidepressant usage by pregnant women has been a controversial subject for quite some time. Once a woman finds out she is pregnant, she, along with the advice of her doctor, has a very difficult decision to make. There have been countless studies that have proven the dangers of continuing the medications and the effects on [...]
Antidepressants Linked To Stroke Risk
A study published in Neurology revealed that individuals who use common antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could have a heightened risk of suffering a stroke. A team of investigators looked at past studies to analyze the connection between antidepressant use and stroke. Evidence from 16 studies was pooled, with over 500,000 total participants included. Overall antidepressant users [...]
Traces of SSRI Antidepressants in Drinking Water May Have Autism Link
An interesting new study has emerged that shows low levels of antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs in water supplies can trigger the expression of genes associated with autism – in fish at least. Pharmaceuticals In Our Water Supply? The use of antidepressants has increased dramatically over the past 25 years, says Michael Thomas of Idaho [...]
Reduced Head Growth in Infants Result from Antidepressants
The dangers and health risks of the affects antidepressants have on unborn children have been revealed in studies time and again. The latest study has found that babies exposed to SSRI antidepressants in the womb are more likely to exhibit reduced head growth at birth. Use of SSRI antidepressants also appeared to be associated with [...]
Paxil Is Still Risky For Pregnant Women
In December 2005, with an FDA warning, a popular antidepressant was placed into its second-highest category for risk of birth defects. It was not said that Paxil could never be used by pregnant women, but it did say the FDA “is advising patients that this drug should usually not be taken during pregnancy.” The advisory was [...]
Sexual Dysfunction in SSRI Antidepressant Users
SSRI antidepressants are prescribed to millions of Americans to treat a range of depressive disorders. a new study suggests that most prescriptions for these drugs are having little or no effect on people with minor cases of depression, but are likely having some side effects. Sexual dysfunction is considered one of the most common side [...]
Request To Hold Off Generic Seroquel Denied
In an update from an older article, in witch AstraZenca sued the FDA over releasing a generic Seroquel, a U.S. judge denied the drugmaker’s request for a preliminary injunction that would delay copycat rivals. As a result, generic copies of the original instant-release form of Seroquel can hit the U.S. market now that AstraZeneca’s patent expired–an event that [...]
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Linked to Antidepressants
Another disturbing adverse reaction has now been linked to taking antidepressants during pregnancy. Based on a new study, common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac and Celexa, have been linked to high blood pressure during pregnancy, called pregnancy induced hypertension. Pregnancy induced hypertension is sometimes linked with pre-eclampsia, a serious [...]
FDA Approves Generic Lexapro to Treat Depression
Changes are coming to the drug industry, at least for 2 pharmaceutical companies and the antidepressant industry. Drug regulators have now approved Teva Pharmaceuticals to sell a a generic version of the popular antidepressant, Lexapro, in the United States. The medicine, known as Escitalopram, was originally made by Forest Laboratories Inc. It treats depression and [...]
Zoloft Birth Defect Victim Files Lawsuit Against Pfizer, After She Was Born With Birth Defects Due To Mother Taking Popular Antidepressant
A Chicago woman born with multiple birth defects alleges that the antidepressant taken by her mother while she was pregnant with her is to blame for her birth defects. Angela Rife has filed suit against Pfizer Inc, the maker of Zoloft. According to the Madison St. Clair Record, Rife was born in 1991 with multiple [...]
Medical Mattresses Pose Risk Of Infection And Contamination
The FDA warns that medical mattresses may not be as clean as once perceived. Routine checks on mattresses are advised as any rips, tears, or excessive wear alter the efficacy. The medical mattresses as well as the covers have an expected life depending on the manufacturer, which should not go unnoticed.
On Third Of Children Medications Are Only Tested On Adults Leading To Improper UseOne third of children medications are not tested on children, but rather adults. Thus, these drugs are approved for adult use. Companies base the dosages off the adult studies, increasing the risk for improper use.
Epilepsy Drug During Pregnancy Linked To AutismExpectant mothers who take the popular anti-epileptic drug valproate during pregnancy should be aware that there is an increased risk for their child developing autism compared with children of women who did not take the epilepsy drug, according to a recently published Danish study. Valproate is a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy and other [...]
Cough Syrup Responsible For Over 36 DeathsPakistani authorities are investigating allegations that cough syrup has killed at least three dozen people, a government official has announced, making this the second time in recent months that medicine is suspected of causing multiple deaths. The deaths from the cough syrup occurred in the eastern city of Gujranwala and nearby villages, said local official [...]
Merck Settles Vioxx Class-Action LawsuitIn almost a decade old battle, Merck & Co. Inc. has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of Missouri consumers over its prescription pain reliever Vioxx in a deal that could cost the drugmaker up to $220 million, lawyers for the consumers said. According to CNBC, the agreement announced on November [...]
Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Cause Soft Tissue Damage Says FDA
Hip joint deterioration can lead to pain, stiffness or difficulty walking. When these symptoms do not respond to conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, patients may be advised to undergo total hip replacement or hip resurfacing. As part of this treatment, they may receive a “metal-on-metal” hip implant in which the “ball and socket” of [...]
Ethicon Recalls Surgical StaplerThe FDA has announced a voluntary global recall of more than 157,000 Ethicon surgical staplers, due to problems with incomplete firing strokes that may cause faulty staple formation, potentially resulting in painful and severe internal complications for the patient. An Ethicon surgical stapler recall was first announced in August, after reports surfaced where surgeons experienced [...]
Another Device Maker Investigated By DOJEarlier this month, cardiovascular device maker Abiomed announced that the US Attorney’s Office was investigating the company’s marketing and labeling of the Impella 2.5 circulatory support device. According to Forbes, the announcement confirmed rumors that had been circulating for at least two weeks, though in the press release the company said it had just been [...]
A Medical Device Horror StoryCNNMoney describes the chilling details of the bone cement horror stories surrounding the medical device company Synthes. In 2009 the U.S. attorney in Philadelphia accused the medical device manufacturer of running illegal clinical trials — essentially, experimenting on humans. Between 2002 and 2004, Synthes tested a product called Norian XR, a cement that has a [...]
Non-FDA Approved Stryker Surgical Device Recall And AlertStryker Neptune Waste Management System is the subject of a recent FDA recall and safety alert. The non-FDA approved device can cause bleeding as well as soft tissue, muscle and vital organ damage. The Stryker Neptune Waste Management System is used during surgical procedures to collect fluid waste from the patient. The Neptune 2 Ultra [...]







