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Prozac Replacement Just Approved
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
August 18 2004 | 1,353 views

A new antidepressant called Cymbalta was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and will hit the market shelves later this month.

The makers of Cymbalta, chemically referred to as duloxetine, have hopes that it will succeed its predecessor, Prozac. The drug works by concentrating on serotonin and norepinephrine, the two brain chemicals involved in depression.

Cymbalta is the first antidepressant to reach the market shelves since the FDA began conducting investigations into the link of taking antidepressants and an increased risk of suicide, particularly when taken by teenagers.

Cymbalta came under close scrutiny after a college student involved in a study on the drug hung herself in the research facility. The makers of the drug claimed that the incident wasn't caused by the medication. After a close investigation by the FDA on the potential of the drug to trigger suicidal behaviors, it was determined that there wasn't any difference between those taking the drug and those taking a placebo.

Despite these findings, Cymbalta still carries a warning label cautioning doctors to keep the patients that are prescribed the drug under close supervision, particularly those just starting the drugs and any dosage changes of the medication.

USA Today August 5, 2004



Dr. Mercola's Comments:
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Depression is a serious health problem and clearly needs effective strategies but do we really want to use a pill as the primary solution?

I used to be one of those drug-prescribing doctors and in the late '80s I had put several thousand patients on these drugs. They seemed to work well for many, however, in not one single case did they solve the underlying foundational reason as to why the person was depressed.

I have found that pills in no way, shape or form ever treat the cause of the problem.

Below I have listed some of the most effective natural techniques for treating depression:

These techniques are far better and safer alternatives to treating depression than depending on antidepressants, which have been linked to some deadly side effects.

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