Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 11:55:06 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Epilepsy Drugs Increase Risk of Suicide: FDA

Posted Feb 1, 08 6:11 PM CST in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Taking epilepsy medication can double risk of suicidal behavior, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Results of a government study showed the increased risk for 11 specific drugs, including Pfizer’s Neurontin and Lyrica, but the Food and Drug Administration warned that the findings probably apply to all epilepsy medications. Labels for the drugs will be changed to reflect the risks.

"Patients who are currently taking or starting on any anti-epileptic drug should be closely monitored for notable changes in behavior that could indicate the emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior or depression," reads the FDA’s alert. The results are bad news for Pfizer, which is already been hit with numerous lawsuits over links between Neurontin and suicide attempts.

Source San Francisco Chronicle

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
David Franklin poses for a picture in Hopkinton, Mass., Friday, April 20, 2007. In 2004, Pfizer paid $430 million in fines to settle allegations it marketed the epilepsy drug Neurontin for pain and psychiatric...   (Associated Press)
The world headquarters of Pfizer Inc. is seen in New York in this April 12, 2005 file photo. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)   (Associated Press)
Pfizer's Neurontin medication.
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 4)

Tags

suicide  • Pfizer  • epilepsy


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »