Prescription Drugs and
Suicide:
Psychotropics, SSRI's, and SSNRI's
 

On March 22,  2004,  the FDA published a Public Health Advisory reiterating the adverse side effects of SSRI's and SSNRI's.  Then on September 14, 2004, and in response to testimony given regarding the deadly adverse effects (namely suicide), the FDA added a BLACK BOX WARNING to this class of drugs for children under the age of 18.  On December 13, 2006 that warning was expanded to include adults under the age of 25. 

Thus we ask,
"At what age does someone not become vulnerable to these risks....27....35....47....54....61....95?"

 Are the risks not directly related to the biochemistry/brain chemistry of the patient him/herself and not their age?  Isn't picking "25" just an arbitrary number that continues to expose the rest of us to the documented adverse risks of these drugs? 

But, think,  what IF the FDA BLACK BOX warnings were expanded to include and protect us all?  We at BTS doubt this will ever happen, as a move so consumer protective would greatly impact the sales of these drugs and the pharmaceutical companies pocketbooks.

STORIES OF RX DRUGS AND SUICIDE /HOMICIDE:

A PSYCHOTROPIC drug is defined as any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior.  The following classes of drugs are considered Psychotropic:

Antipsychotics
Mood Stabilizers
Anti-depressants (Tricyclics, MAOI's, SSRI's, SSNRI's)
           SSRI's:  Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram 
           (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly),
           Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), 
           and Sertraline (Zoloft).
           SSNRI's: Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and 
           Duloxetine (Cymbalta). 
Anti-Obsessive Agents
Anti-Panic Agents
Anti-Anxiety Agents
Stimulants (used for ADHD)

Specifically, SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SSNRI's (Selective Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) have quickly become a "cure all" for the general public.  Prescribed by any type of physician (Internists, General Practitioners, OB-GYN's etc.)  for everything from Premenstral Syndrome  to normal life anxiety/stress and situational depression, they are being distributed at an alarming rate by doctors in the United States. Additionally, these very powerful drugs are being prescribed in "cocktails" with other psychotropic medications which can, and often do, produce tragic and lethal results : suicide and homicide.

IMPORTANT LINKS: Information on SSRI's/SSNRI's

It is the position of Break the Silence (BTS) that we have quickly become a society that over-diagnoses, over-medicates and is now practicing irresponsible prescription drug distribution.  BTS acknowledges that although there are patients who experience negative/adverse effects from antidepressants, namely SSRI's and SSNRI's,  there are thousands who benefit from their use.  There are many, many people whose lives are changed and enhanced from these drugs.  What BTS promotes is a change in the way these drugs are distributed and by whom.  Not every Family Practitioner, Ob-Gyn, or Internist should be dispensing these drugs like candy.

We, at Break the Silence, promote RESPONSIBLE prescribing of antidepressants (SSRI's/SSNRI's) by Psychiatrists only, with full and complete disclosure to the patient of the risks  and close patient monitoring/ assessment. Psychiatrists need to listen to their patients when they complain of difficult adverse reactions and not instruct them to "work through the symptoms."  These are strong and potentially dangerous drugs and need to respected and treated as such.  When dispensed  and monitored incorrectly,  these drugs  can and do kill. 

Sarina Angel Cuoco:

Click here                             to access COPES Foundation and Sarina's Story.  

Richard Matthew Burne was completely drug and alcohol free.  After the break-up of a seven year relationship, he spiraled into a situational depression.  Reaching out for help, his local INTERNIST immediately prescribed Lexapro and Xanax.  After several weeks with no improvement, Matt then made an appointment to see a Psychiatrist. At their first  appointment on November 9, 2004, Matt was switched from Lexpro (10 mgs.) to 5x's the starting dose (187.5 mgs.) of Effexor XR (an SSNRI).  He was also given Seroquel (25 mgs.) as a mood stabilizer.  Notes found at his home after his suicide,show Matt started ideating about suicide on Saturday, November 13th:  just 4 days after his medication switch.

Matt Burne went to The Meadows in Wickenburg, AZ in part to safely detox from the three psychotropic drugs he was taking.  Very "anti-drugs," Matt wanted and sought to clean-out his system.  However, when he  got to The Meadows  doctors there added Lamectil,  Tegretol, and  Vistaril to his Effexor XR, Xanax, and Seroquel creating a SIX drug cocktail.  This is beyond medically irresponsible in any situation.  It is not fully understood what one drug does to a person's  brain chemistry let alone the combination of SIX drugs given   at one time.  Four days after being placed on this drug cocktail, and repeatedly informing doctors and staff of the resulting suicidal ideations, Matt Burne hanged himself as an inpatient at The Meadows of Wickenburg.  Having never before - in his 37 years of life - expressed any thoughts of suicide or suicidal ideations, it is wholeheartedly believed that these psychotropic drugs played havoc with Matt Burne's virtually virgin brain chemistry and lead to his tragic suicidal ideations and ultimate death