Pharma Blog Online

Because the FDA chose its most strident alert, the warning must be included
in advertising. That means a trend that startled federal advisers & free
samples of antidepressants
given to treat other medical conditions & also must carry warnings.These
medications were being used outside their indications by physicians who sometimes
distributed samples to the families, said Dr. Laurence Greenhill, a pediatric
psychiatrist in New York. In this case, advertising sampling always will
have the black box warning on it.The new warnings will be carried by
all antidepressants, including Anafranil, Aventyl, Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel,
Effexor,
Elavil, Lexapro, Ludiomil, Luvox, Marplan, Nardil, Norpramin, Pamelor,
Parnate, Paxil,
Pexeva, Prozac, Remeron, Sarafem, Serzone, Sinequan, Surmontil, Symbyax, Tofranil,
Tofranil-PM, Triavil, Vivactil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Zyban,Zyprexa,
Zydis

Anorexia, which affects 2.5 million Americans, isnt simply an eating
disorder&its a mental illness with a higher mortality rate than
even depression.
Patients who starve and deny themselves essential nutrients can cause long-term
damage to their bodies. The diseases youngest victims, who are getting
younger and younger, are also its most vulnerable. NEWSWEEKs Peg Tyre
reports that the face of anorexia is no longer just the type-A girls
from privileged backgrounds who confront pressures from parents, schools
or coaches. Instead, they are more likely to be minorities, boys or middle-aged.
Theres also a genetic link to this disease, much like alcoholism and
depression. As for
treatment, researchers are saying parents need to be part of the process, instead
of being viewed as contributing to the disease. Tyre, a NEWSWEEK general editor,
will answer your questions on anorexia during a Live Talk on Thursday, Dec.
1, at noon ET.

Why are people turning to alternatives? For some, it’s the side effects
from anti-depressants.
Others simply don’t want to take antidepressants
— they prefer a more “natural” approach. Still others don’t
think their antidepressants
have worked well enough in treating their clinical depression
or anxiety disorders.Dr. Ronald Glick medical director of the Center for
Complementary Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside,
has seen plenty of patients searching for alternatives for their mood disorders.
“Medications and psychotherapy are still the mainstays when it comes to
treating depression
and anxiety,” says Glick, who is also professor of psychiatry at the
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “But alternative therapies
can help. It depends on what you expect from them.”