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Hey Everyone! So, I don't get into trouble, first a little disclaimer: This blog entry contains disturbing information about several commonly used drugs.  Under no circumstances should you abruptly stop taking any medication.  If you have any concerns about possible side-effects of a drug, visit your medical practitioner and ask him or her about the best way to alter or cease your medication.   

Suicide is not as rare as you might think; in fact it is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. for people between 18 and 24.  In recent years several drugs have been linked to an increased suicide risk. 

These include Chantix (used to aid in quitting smoking), Accutane (for teen acne treatment), Singlulair (for asthma treatment) and the anti-depressant Paxil.   Despite anecdotal evidence and court cases involving questions about the effects of these drugs the FDA has never released any statements or warnings pertaining to them. 

Until now! 

According to NewsInferno.com the FDA has released reports on a range of drugs indicating that they may have negative effects on the brain and consequently- behavior. 

Drugs listed include:  Singlulair; epilepsy drugs carbamazepine, gabapentin, felbamate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, pregabalin, and valproate; Chantix, Paxil, Prozac, the influenza drug Tamiflu, and Accutane (used to treat acne).

 According to the reports the drugs may be linked to suicidal thoughts and behavior.    Drug questionnaires are now being implemented during testing as well as for drugs already on the market. 

Kelly Posner is the principal investigator at the Center for Suicide Risk Assessment at Columbia University in New York and has started a program together with the FDA to determine the suicide risks. 

Prior to this program suicidal thoughts and behavior had not been addressed during clinical trials. 

At present the FDA lists warnings on the possibility of suicidal thinking in children and young adults taking antidepressants on both Paxil and Prozac.  This caused use to decrease and there were more suicides. 

“Drugs which might help people avoid suicide were not being used because of possible risks”, says Dr. Paula Clayton medical director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in New York. This obviously is not an ideal situation. Helpful medications should not be avoided because risks but the public clearly has a right to informed. 

What about Accutane?  I know that some of you may be using it right now and my intention is not to create panic.  However there have been some reports of negative effects. 

Congressman Bart Stupak claims his teenage son B.J. committed suicide in 1999.  He had been taking Accutane for several months.  

In 1998 the FDA went on record as saying that there had been several reports of depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts associated with Accutane but nobody informed B.J. and the package leaflet did not include warnings either.

 What do you think about all this? Have you ever been prescribed am acne treatment drug that made you feel worse in some way?  In love and hope Johanna