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Donna Zuehl

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Warning for Fibromyalgia Drugs
4/21/2010 4:50:33 AM

Please be aware of this information, even if you are taking one or more of the drugs for an unrelated condition. I read this on arthritis today.

Fibromyalgia Drug Warnings

FDA warns of suicide risk for 3 fibro drugs and 20 other medications

In December 2008, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the manufacturers of nearly two dozen medications to add new warnings about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors to the drugs’ packaging.

At least three of those medications, pregabalin (Lyrica), gabapentin (Neurontin) and clonazepam (Klonopin), are used to treat fibromyalgia.

The new warnings were ordered after regulators reviewed 199 clinical trials of 11 anti-epileptic drugs and found that those taking these medications had almost twice the risk of suicidal behaviors compared with patients who took placebos. The increased risk translated to one additional case of suicidal thoughts or behavior for every 500 patients on these drugs.

Here is the complete list of drugs that carry the new warning:

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Clorazepate (Tranxene)

Divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote ER)

Ethosuximide (Zarontin)

Ethotoin (Peganone)

Felbamate (Felbatol)

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Lacosamide (Vimpat)

Levetiracetam (Keppra)

Mephenytoin (Mesantoin)

Methosuximide (Celontin)

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Primidone (Mysoline)

Rufinamide (Banzel)

Tiagabine (Gabitril)

Topiramate (Topamax)

Trimethadione (Tridione)

Valproic Acid (Depakene, Stavzor Extended Release Tablets)

Zonisamide (Zonegran)

If you or a family member take one of these medications, it’s important to be vigilant for signs of suicidality and seek help immediately if you suspect problems.

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Roger Bjornerud

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RE: Warning for Fibromyalgia Drugs
4/21/2010 6:17:48 AM
One of the many reasons why I don't use pills :)
Roger Bjornerud - Back from vacation - Planning the next :)
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Donna Zuehl

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RE: Warning for Fibromyalgia Drugs
4/22/2010 4:57:34 AM

Hi Roger,

It is good if you can do without medications, but some are necessary for our health, such as blood pressure medications. Medications do seem to be overused in our society. A person must weigh the potential side-effects against the potential benefits in deciding whether to take medication.

DonnaZ

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Roger Bjornerud

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RE: Warning for Fibromyalgia Drugs
4/22/2010 9:39:19 AM
I have the blood pressure of a healthy 20 year old :)
I credit this to drinking aloe vera daily.
All day actually :)

The only problem I have with fibromyalgia is the pain :)
Roger Bjornerud - Back from vacation - Planning the next :)
roger.bjornerud@gmail.com


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Donna Zuehl

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RE: Warning for Fibromyalgia Drugs
4/23/2010 4:53:07 AM

Wow, Roger, that is great news about your blood pressure. I have an inherited predisposition for difficult to control hypertension. I take several medications to keep it around the 140's over 60's. Sometimes it is in the 150's.

DonnaZ

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