Posted by DepNYer on March 10, 2004, at 12:38:07
In reply to Re: Any long term Effexor-free survivors? » jiggitykid, posted by Ieva on March 10, 2004, at 11:20:33
If my posts inadvertently sounded as though I was criticizing a "noisy" minority, please understand that was not my intention.
One point that was brought up was whether these ADs are tested for a sufficient period of time before their approval. That may be entirely valid. On the other hand, on almost all ADs, including Effexor, prescribing information states that long term use of these meds has not been extensively studied in preapproval trials, and that the treating doctor needs to weigh the risks and benefits of long term therapy. That is not to say that post approval, long term studies have not been done...they have. In evaluating a medicine after it is general use, the drug co. is required to gather and review all reported adverse reactions. True, the reporting is voluntary, and some doctors never file these, but of those that are filed, the drug co. must follow them up and report to the FDA those findings when significant. That is why in 2000 the FDA required updated prescribing information to include a section on discontinuation problems and the need to monitor for them. I think it is the responsibility of the treating doc to be aware of this info as well as informing you of the risks and benefits. If a doc fails to do this, they are not taking good care of you and you need to switch to someone who bothers to at least read the prescribing info in the PDR.
poster:DepNYer
thread:12459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040308/msgs/322921.html