Comments on: Antipsychotics and the profit panacea

By: amy

amy — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:34:19 +0000

they are even trying to blame certain gens now and that specific genes are to blame for predispossition however, i may agree this to be the case for early onset TD but people taking them over ten years or will probably develop it also therefore its not genetic as the science has proved they damage the brain but researchers are either paid by the pharmaceuticals to try and blame genes but i dont beleive infact soem researchers dont either.

By: Froztwolf

Froztwolf — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:45:32 +0000

[...diabetes and heart problems.

However, these problems are perhaps easier to control...]

Seeing as these are among the 5 leading causes of death in the US today, I strongly disagree that these problems are easy to control.

By: Elouise

Elouise — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:54:28 +0000

This is one of the most disturbing articles I’ve read in a long time. I work with individuals with schizophrenia and see the awful side affects of these medications. To think that anyone would be prescribed these medications, other than as a last resort, is maddening in itself. I do find it interesting that the taking of antipsychotics causes even more medications needing to be taken just to combat their side effects. Most of the pills given to my clients is for that very purpose. Which could explain why they are being pushed so often now. The whole thing is hu I’d love to hear more about what’s being done, or can be done to stop the obvious overprescribing of antipsychotics. I mean, how can it be there are more people who are psychotic (atypically or otherwise) than have acid reflux or high cholesterol? Lol

By: Elouise

Elouise — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:43:43 +0000

This is one of the most disturbing articles I’ve read in a long time. I work with individuals with schizophrenia and see the awful side affects of these medications. To think that anyone would be prescribed these medications, other than as a last resort, is insanity in itself. I do find it interesting that the taking of antipsychotics causes the taking of even more medications necessary just to combat their side effects. Most of the pills given to my clients is for that very purpose. Which could explain why they are being pushed so often now. The whole thing just sounds odd. I’d love to hear more about what’s being done, or can be done to stop the obvious overprescribing of antipsychotics. I mean, how can it be there are more people who are psychotic (“atypically” or otherwise) than have acid reflux or high cholesterol? Lol

By: Daniell Haszard

Daniell Haszard — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:52:02 +0000

Eli Lilly Zyprexa,Risperdal and Seroquel same saga

The use of powerful antipsychotic drugs has increased in children as young as three years old. Weight gain, increases in triglyceride levels and associated risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The average weight gain (adults) over the 12 week study period was the highest for Zyprexa—17 pounds. You’d be hard pressed to gain that kind of weight sport-eating your way through the holidays.
One in 145 adults died in clinical trials of those taking the antipsychotic drugs Zyprexa. This is Lilly’s # 1 product over $ 4 billion year sales,moreover Lilly also make billions on drugs that treat the diabetes often that has been caused by the zyprexa!
—
Daniel Haszard Zyprexa victim activist and patient who got diabetes from it.

By: Rob Lindeman

Rob Lindeman — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:51:39 +0000

Disappointing report from Al-Jazeerah, but not surprising.

When the diagnostic criteria for a disease, any disease, are not clearly defined with objective and measurable criteria, diagnosis creep and over-prescription are nearly certain to ensue.

It happened with antibiotics, which are meant to treat objectively measurable bacterial infections. How much more so for anti-psychotics and the malleable ever-shifting “diagnostic criteria” of mental illness?

By: ambokid

ambokid — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 12:19:34 +0000

A few years ago as a student on clinical placement I encountered aged care facilities full of people on antipsychotics. The result? Rooms full of tranquilized people, too drowsy to eat, talk, or have any quality of life. I was horrified. At least, I thought their doctors must have had good reason for putting them on it. One day I dealt with a patient who was a bit agitated at having to get up on a cold morning (who isn’t) and at 7.30am, tried to push carers away (once). That was, in my opinion, a reasonable response to the situation. At handover the carers and nurses suggested that this patient be recommended to the doctor for treatment with risperidone due to aggressive behaviour. There are thousands, if not millions of people being given these medications, and when their families don’t visit everyday and take an active interest – who’s to know?

By: moftasa

moftasa — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 09:12:05 +0000

But isn’t comparing sales inflates the perceived use of these drugs? Already, atypicals are several times (up to 5 times or more in my country) more expensive that ulcer medicine.

By: Becky Murphy

Becky Murphy — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 04:13:02 +0000

two comments, the first in response to Carmen and her experience with attending to an elder’s medical care. Carmen, It is fortunate that you have not encountered “medicate first,” this does not mean that your experience is typical or average.

The newer neuroleptics called “atypical antipsychotics” have been advertised and marketed as being safer and more effective–which is not the same thing as actually being safer and more efficacious. As for the drugs not causing the horrifying damage which causes movement disorders, this was another marketing claim which it appears is a claim that was pulled out of thin air; not based on scientific data from clinical trials; or real world outcomes for those who take these drugs. The Practice Parameters for treating Early Onset Schizophrenia written by Jon McClellan and adopted by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with the newer neuroleptics anticipate that 50% of the children and adolescents who take them will develop Tardive Dyskinesia—These are the drugs which are being widely prescribed off-label to children for negative behavior—including aggressive behavior—despite the fact the drugs are documented to CAUSE aggressive behavior! Then there is the fact that the drugs are also documented to cause DEPENDENCE. The risk for TD, increased aggression, and dependence are rarely shared with those to whom they are prescribed. This belief is based on my experience: in fact none of these risks have ever been talked about by a single psychiatrist who has prescribed neuroleptics to my son who has TD, heart damage and brain damage. I have two friends that are my age who were physically normal adults with traumatic experiences and emotional damage who as a result of neuroleptic drugs are cognitively and physically disabled; one is now in a wheelchair. Neither of these people or their family members who supported them at psychiatric appointments were informed of the risks for the damage they are now stuck with.

By: S-bomb

S-bomb — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 03:02:25 +0000

Nice work illustrating the clear adverse effects of atypicals, but I expect more complexity in explaining the mechanism of actions which is still unknown; the single neurotransmitter hypothesis for any disorder is too simple to explain the facts.

A mass psychosis is ongoing, clear, if you look at our media