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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 39. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
My daughter just passed away, she was just put on Lexapro, she had alcohol in her system as well. Our coroner says our state can not find a lab that can test for this drug, and we are very frustrated. They will not even add it to the death certificate until it has been tested. We know it was a contributing factor in her death, as well as the alchol. The clinic she was going to for panic attacks prescribed it to her--they knew she was on it. Any help on finding a lab that can test for it,please advise, We were told it has been involved in 12 deaths since it has been out--they told us it was new and not many people are on it--6 months time period its been out. Labs are not set up for the testing of this yet--But is it not formally celexa?? anyone???
Help with information
thank you
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 11, 2002, at 0:24:09
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
> My daughter just passed away, she was just put on Lexapro, she had alcohol in her system as well. >Any help on finding a lab that can test for it,please advise, We were told it has been involved in 12 deaths since it has been out--they told us it was new and not many people are on it--6 months time period its been out. Labs are not set up for the testing of this yet--But is it not formally celexa?? anyone???
> Help with informationjooneybuggy, i'm really sorry about your daughter's death. this must be a really hard time for you right now. i hope that you find healing in your search for answers.
as far as your questions about lexapro, i think i know as much as you do; lexapro was made out of a form of celexa that was tinkered with.
what happened?
once again, i'm sorry. i hope you're doing well.
bookgurl99
Posted by Bill L on December 11, 2002, at 9:11:30
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
I'm really very sorry to hear about your daughter. Lexapro is one of the 2 ingredients in Celexa. Good luck.
Posted by Kari on December 11, 2002, at 12:51:08
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
Very sorry to hear about your daughter's death. I hope you do find the answers you are looking for.
Posted by BrittPark on December 11, 2002, at 15:45:13
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
I'm very sorry for the loss of your daughter.
Any lab that can check for celexa can check for lexapro by definition. I don't know what state you are in, but I would suggest looking in the yellow pages for "laboratory" or "Chemical analysis". Also contact the manufacturer of lexapro. They certainly know how to analyse for lexapro and could probably put you in touch with a lab that can do the same. Of course the manufacturer may be reluctent to give information so it might be better if you had your doctor make the inquiry.
Wishing you well,
Britt
Posted by BekkaH on December 11, 2002, at 17:43:47
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
I'm very sorry about your loss. I do believe that the Medical Examiner or Coroner's office should be able to determine exactly what substances and the amounts of those substances by doing an autopsy and full toxicology screen. That is part of the Medical Examiner's job in a case like this.
Posted by MarathonMom on December 11, 2002, at 19:30:02
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
My sincere condolences in the loss of your daughter. Take care.
Posted by utopizen on December 11, 2002, at 20:37:21
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
Call the company. I know Roche will test for "Roofies" (date rape benzo) for free if urine is mailed to them.
Speaking of which, I mentioned Lexapro back when it was in development stage, and my doc said "oh, they tried that with such-and-such a drug once, and it ended up hurting a lot of people." (Isomer isolation).
Posted by djmmm on December 11, 2002, at 20:46:52
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
Lexapro, although a new drug is simply the s-isomer of Celexa (citalopram).
When determining a cause of death related to SSRIs, a few processes are involved, including isolation of the drugs by liquid/liquid extraction at alkaline pH into n-butyl chloride and analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Any forensic lab can do this.
SSRIs increase serotonin levels. In some people, with pre-existing diseases like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, this increase in serotonin has lead to death.
Serotonin syndrome is something to consider.
If Lexapro contributed to your daughters death, please inform the FDA
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/3500.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/getforms.htm
Posted by BekkaH on December 11, 2002, at 22:20:49
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for i, posted by utopizen on December 11, 2002, at 20:37:21
The original poster should NOT contact the company. The analysis should be done by an INDEPENDENT, UNBIASED lab. The original poster should contact an attorney who can advise them at this difficult time, and I hope the attorney can help you follow djmmm's good advice.
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 11, 2002, at 22:51:17
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by djmmm on December 11, 2002, at 20:46:52
> Lexapro, although a new drug is simply the s-isomer of Celexa (citalopram).
>
> When determining a cause of death related to SSRIs, a few processes are involved, including isolation of the drugs by liquid/liquid extraction at alkaline pH into n-butyl chloride and analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Any forensic lab can do this.
>
> SSRIs increase serotonin levels. In some people, with pre-existing diseases like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, this increase in serotonin has lead to death.
>
> Serotonin syndrome is something to consider.
>
> If Lexapro contributed to your daughters death, please inform the FDA
>
> http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/3500.pdf
> http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/getforms.htmThank you all again for your advise, and I thank
djmmm--I have gone to the sites and will report the drug and information to medwatch--our cornor told us in this State they could not find a lab, and that they looked for one. They also told us we would have to find one in order for them to add the lexapro to the death certificate and autopsy report.
thanks for all the answers I have gotten so far.
Posted by cubbybear on December 12, 2002, at 1:36:57
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it??? » djmmm, posted by jooneybuggy on December 11, 2002, at 22:51:17
It sounds very questionable that there is allegedly no lab in your state that can test for Lexapro. It almost sounds as if the coroner is looking out for the drug manufacturer, who will do anything to avoid having his product implicated in the tragedy.
Since Lexapro was more than likely a contributing factor, it must be noted on the death certificate, which would be an essential document for you to have, if you choose to pursue litigation. Since time is of the essence, you should contact a sympathetic attorney immediately who can take this matter into his hands on your behalf. Don't let yourself get railroaded by ignorant, incompetent, or greedy people. When folks like you are grieving and in shock, it's so easy to be conned, deceived, and exploited. My gut feeling is that you should focus on getting a competent attorney at once.
Posted by utopizen on December 12, 2002, at 2:26:50
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro-- utopizen, posted by BekkaH on December 11, 2002, at 22:20:49
> The original poster should NOT contact the company. The analysis should be done by an INDEPENDENT, UNBIASED lab. The original poster should contact an attorney who can advise them at this difficult time, and I hope the attorney can help you follow djmmm's good advice.
>>>>>>>>.
Thank you for correcting me.Ussually I'm a very cynical person... I have no idea why this thought never crossed my mind.
Posted by djmmm on December 12, 2002, at 9:15:27
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it??? » djmmm, posted by jooneybuggy on December 11, 2002, at 22:51:17
What state are you in?
The s-isomer of Citalopram was developed by H. Lundbeck of Copenhagen
http://www.lundbeck.com/Sepraco in Marlborough, Mass does a lot of research and development with drug isomers
http://www.sepracor.com/Celgene also dose a lot of research and development with drug isomers http://www.celgene.com/
Posted by markmn on December 12, 2002, at 10:22:50
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by djmmm on December 12, 2002, at 9:15:27
Hello, I hope you can find peace in this very troubling time jooneybuggy. You have my sympathy.
I am writing to request a little more information from you. Why do you think Lexapro was the cause of your daughter's death? You don't really specify your reasoning. I don't mean this to disrespect your opinion, you just need to realize there are thousands of people on Lexapro that look at this board everyday. To hear the Lexapro is killing people is pretty disconcerning. Therefore please provide as much back up to your claim as you can. Again, I'm not tryting to discredit you, I'm just trying to get myself as much info as possible before I freak out.
Thanks again, and please take care,
mark
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 13, 2002, at 10:37:22
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by markmn on December 12, 2002, at 10:22:50
I understand the worry of some of the people who read this board, about my statement that Lexapro caused my daughters death,and that some of you are taking it, and that I am worrying you by saying this. My answer is this: I DON'T know--and that is my problem, I can't get answers--But all I do know leads me to beleive it played a big part. When our pathologist says they cannot test for this drug in this state, or the labs that they used, because they say it is so new--and then they tell us it has been involoved in 12 deaths in the 6 months it has been out--I need an exlanition--why can't they use the test for celexa
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 13, 2002, at 10:43:47
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by markmn on December 12, 2002, at 10:22:50
continue-there are too many questions for me to dismiss this drug, I need explanitions, and a pervious poster gave me some place to check out about testing for Lexapro--Thanks to YOU-at this point I just want information before I go farther--We have one more meeting to attend, then I will talk with an attorney--If I find I am wrong, I will post it on this board IMMIDIATLY, with all my findings. Unitl then, I do beleive it played a part--and want people to know, and ask questions before they take this drug. IF it helps save one other person,--Thank the LORD
Posted by syringachalet on December 13, 2002, at 22:02:52
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
I am so sorry for the loss of your child.
I have no real words of comfort for you;
only you can know where you are at in your grieving process.
Please know that you have the thoughts and support of all here.You did mention that your daughter also had alcohol in her system at the time of her death. Im sure you know that most any of these SSRI or any anti depressant for that matter mixed with alcohol is a risk and discouraged by all the literature.
Again my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. syringachalet
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 14, 2002, at 18:52:26
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by syringachalet on December 13, 2002, at 22:02:52
Hello again to all who have written to me, and to my last post from: syringachalet---your comment on the alchol is of course correct, and we know that it also was a part of the death. My main concern is that they knew all of these things, and prescribed this drug to her. The indications on drug insert, and information they did give to us says, use cautiouslly with alchol--But again, I want this drug Lexapro to be listed as well on her death certificate, as it was part of the combination---lethal. Thank you for your kind words, it is so hard loosing her. The panic attacks she had, were hard for me to understand, but very real to her, she was only 37years old--I pray constantly--my faith is hard to find, but I am searhing, and know God must have had a reason.She is at peace and we who are left must try to live without her--We put a grave blanket on her today. We lost her in October of this year.
Best of holidays to all.
jooneybuggy
Posted by markmn on December 16, 2002, at 9:33:44
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 14, 2002, at 18:52:26
Take care joonebuggy
Posted by oracle on December 16, 2002, at 11:22:35
In reply to Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 10, 2002, at 23:16:45
We know it was a contributing factor in her death,
I have been following this and I do not understand how you came to this absolute
conclusion. Could you explain your thinking ?
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 16, 2002, at 11:34:04
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by oracle on December 16, 2002, at 11:22:35
> We know it was a contributing factor in her death,
>
> I have been following this and I do not understand how you came to this absolute
> conclusion. Could you explain your thinking ?Maybe I fail to make my point:why can they not test for it?--they told us it was documented that this drug was involved in 12 deaths, in the 6 plus months it has been out. As I have said, if I find out at any time I am not right in my thinking, I will post it here. I have said all along, I need answers, I need testing, They say they can't test for it--its too new--How did they have the documentation on the 12 deaths? I am not a person who understands all the scientific language, but plain spoken words I do--I have been told NOT to contact the drug makerm that they will not help, I don't know if thats true or not, I am going down all paths to find out, until then--IT is my strong belief, and others in the medical community here as well, that Lexapro played a big part in her death. Please take care-if I am wrong I will post it again and again. If I were any person that may think they will be on this drug,I would ask so many questions about this drug before I let them prescribe it to me
jooneybuggy
Posted by syringachalet on December 16, 2002, at 13:55:34
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 16, 2002, at 11:34:04
joonebuggy,
Did you think that just maybe the reason that your medical examiner didnt list Lexapro as a possible cause of your daughters death was that that would open him professional scrutiny. That he would have to testify in court in a possible civil wrongfull death claim against the drug company?
Most ME in my area of the US dont have time or the staff to take time off to go to court to testify. Most are like cops who when they have to go to court to testify do NOT get to do it 'on company time'. Should they get subpoenaed, are compenstated a token amount from the court for their time away from their private lives and/or familys.
Should they have stepped forward and listed the Lexapro...probably so. Will they still do it still...doubtful.
Very sad but probably realistic...
syringachalet
Posted by oracle on December 16, 2002, at 14:54:40
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by jooneybuggy on December 16, 2002, at 11:34:04
they told us it was documented that this drug was involved in 12 deaths,
You really have to take this case by case.
Many people kill themselves by taking all the pills in the house, so if Lexapro was one of them it would be listed.What bothers me, is that these is a sugestion
here that Lexapro by itself can kill. Consider
the others posters here, please. Making these claims without supporting evidence causes much consern. The parent compound for Lexapro has been on the market over 5 years, with no death causing problems.and others in the medical community here as well, that Lexapro played a big part in her death
If this is so, why can't you get in on the death certificate ?
Posted by jooneybuggy on December 16, 2002, at 14:59:03
In reply to Re: Death caused by Lexapro--NO lab can test for it???, posted by syringachalet on December 16, 2002, at 13:55:34
> joonebuggy,
>
> Did you think that just maybe the reason that your medical examiner didnt list Lexapro as a possible cause of your daughters death was that that would open him professional scrutiny. That he would have to testify in court in a possible civil wrongfull death claim against the drug company?
>
> Most ME in my area of the US dont have time or the staff to take time off to go to court to testify. Most are like cops who when they have to go to court to testify do NOT get to do it 'on company time'. Should they get subpoenaed, are compenstated a token amount from the court for their time away from their private lives and/or familys.
>
> Should they have stepped forward and listed the Lexapro...probably so. Will they still do it still...doubtful.
>
> Very sad but probably realistic...
>
> syringachaletHello again Syringachalet, I have indeed thought of all you said above, as well as the comment the ME made, when I complained because Lexapro was not listed on the autposy report--he said, "Well I don't think there is a cover up" I had not even thought that far--but I'm sure your statement is correct--its the greiving familys who are left with the questions. Whey they can't be of more help to us in finding a lab that can test? I have a call in to him now and awaiting his return.
Thanks for comments--again, I just want answers--at this point anyway, who knows what will come further down the road, maybe nothing, maybe something. But until we get a lab that will test-?? I have no closure( sorry for all my mispelled words)I went back to work last evening--and I work in that hospital, -still can't get any answers, you have to go to the right person, and I will find that person or place-if it takes forever-just to have it listed on her death certificate as it should be.
Jooneybuggy
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