The decision comes after a review by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) found that the drug’s risks outweighed its benefits. The review was based on a study by the makers of Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline.
The study found that Paxil was not effective at treating depression in young people under the age of 18 years. Further, results from studies of more than 1,000 children suggested that those taking Paxil were at least twice as likely to have suicidal or self-harm thoughts compared to children with similar mental health problems who were not taking the drug.
Paxil--one of the world’s best-selling pharmaceuticals--belongs to the same class of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) as Prozac. It generated global sales of $3.40 billion in 2002.
In the UK, about 4 million prescriptions for Paxil were issued in 2002, and about 8,000 individuals under the age of 18 years have been treated with the drug in the past year.
While Paxil is not licensed for use in those under 18 years of age, doctors can prescribe it to these individuals if they deem it necessary.
Researchers concluded that Paxil should no longer be prescribed to children under 18 years of age, and anyone in this age group who is currently taking Paxil should consult a physician.
Studies are being conducted to determine whether these findings apply to the use of Paxil in adults, although there is currently no evidence linking suicidal behavior in adults with antidepressant drugs.
BBC News June 10, 2003
When I posted a previous story on Paxil two weeks ago describing how Paxil increases the risk of suicide, a good friend of mine, David Vaughan, who is one of the top nutritionists in the country, forwarded me a note regarding his father that highlighted the pervasiveness of this problem and the fact that doctors are unwittingly the third-leading causing of death in the United States:
"It was good to see you publish the story on Paxil and suicide. That is exactly why my father shot himself about five years ago at the age of 81. He had torn a quad muscle in a fall in the shower. His doc was "trying to reduce his depression" about being stuck in a wheel chair for the duration of healing by prescribing Paxil. Upon starting the Paxil he immediately fell into a deep confusion including panic attacks and within days had taken his own life--something absolutely no one who knew him would have ever expected or predicted. He was a clear-headed, avid outdoorsman and daily skier right up to his injury. Paxil killed him. Worst part is, the problem with the med was reported to his doctor immediately after it began by several people including my father. Sadly, I'm sure this is a common story."
"It was good to see you publish the story on Paxil and suicide. That is exactly why my father shot himself about five years ago at the age of 81. He had torn a quad muscle in a fall in the shower. His doc was "trying to reduce his depression" about being stuck in a wheel chair for the duration of healing by prescribing Paxil.
Upon starting the Paxil he immediately fell into a deep confusion including panic attacks and within days had taken his own life--something absolutely no one who knew him would have ever expected or predicted. He was a clear-headed, avid outdoorsman and daily skier right up to his injury. Paxil killed him.
Worst part is, the problem with the med was reported to his doctor immediately after it began by several people including my father.
Sadly, I'm sure this is a common story."
Just as this drug is not good for adults, this article illustrates it is equally unwise to use it for children. As I said earlier:
Antidepressants are in no way, shape or form the cure for depression, and, as the report above suggests, they can be associated with tragic consequences.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to use less toxic and less expensive alternatives that at least have a chance at treating the cause?
While that might make sense to you and me it surely is not the choice that most drug companies would have you and your doctor make for treating depression.
Antidepressants are the top-selling therapeutic class, with $12.5 billion in annual retail sales. Depression is an enormously common problem and many people use a drug-based solution to address it.
However, it is clear that omega-3 fat supplementation and restriction of omega-6 fats will profoundly improve the brain function and depression.
Dr. Stoll, director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, discusses this extensively in his book The Omega-3 Connection.
Additionally, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a profoundly helpful tool to help to quickly, inexpensively and permanently resolve the underlying cause of depression.
I have developed a free 25-page report on how you can learn EFT but you will want to seek a professional therapist for more severe cases of depression. Additionally, my EFT Series on DVD or VHS, which gives even more in-depth instruction on how to use EFT, can be used from your home as a supplement to your work with an EFT therapist.
The Related Articles, below are to Prozac, but that drug is not significantly different than Paxil.
Related Articles:
Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives Prozac Possible 'Link' to Brain Tumors Aplastic Anemia Linked to Prozac Prozac Profit Ploy- Rename and Sell Under "Sarafem"
Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives
Prozac Possible 'Link' to Brain Tumors
Aplastic Anemia Linked to Prozac
Prozac Profit Ploy- Rename and Sell Under "Sarafem"