January 22, 2007: Study Links Antidepressants to Bone Fractures in Older Patients

A recent study discovers that taking of particular antidepressants by older patients subject them to higher risks of experiencing bone fractures.  The study, brought about by some Canadian research scientists, recommends that patients of more than 50 years old who are taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs on an everyday basis, including Celexa, Fluvoxamine, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft, are twice as likely to experience bone fractures.

December 5, 2006: FDA to Review Suicidal Risks in Young Adults Taking Antidepressants

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced that there would be a meeting on December 13 of outside medical experts who would consider new data on the higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior among young adults taking antidepressant treatment. This meeting would be a follow-up of two meetings on anti-depressants and suicidality in pediatric patients in February and September 2004. FDA said that it plans to modify antidepressant drug labels which are based on the findings of the panel.

July 2006: Combined Use Celexa and Migraine Medicines Risky

The US Food and Drug Administration gave a public health advisory about the use of Celexa and other antidepressants. FDA also announced the risks related to the combined use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI like Celexa and triptans which is for the treatment of migraine headaches. Combined use can result in a fatal condition known as serotonin syndrome.

July 2006: Treatment Challenges of Depression in Pregnancy

FDA made a public health advisory regarding the big risk of using Celexa and other anti-depressants during pregnancy. FDA further showed the results of a study evaluating the use of anti-depressants medicines during pregnancy by the mothers of babies born with a severe condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn or PPHN. Infants born with PPHN have abnormal blood flow through the heart and lungs, is not getting adequate enough oxygen for their bodies.

June 30, 2005: Suicidality in Adults Being Treated With Antidepressant Medications

FDA warned the public through a public advisory declaring that many recent scientific publications recommended the potential risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in adults taking antidepressants, especially those being treated with depression, should be closely observed for potential worsening depression and increased suicidality. Monitoring these patients is important when medication starts, and when dosages are increased or reduced. FDA is coordinating with the producers of antidepressants to completely assess the potential risks of suicidality in adults being treated with these medications.

October 15, 2004: FDA Orders Re-Labeling on Auicidality in Child and Adolescent Antidepressant Patients

FDA gave a public health advisory instructing all antidepressant drug producers to modify their product labeling and include boxed a warning and expanded warning statements that alerted doctors and other healthcare experts to an increased risk of suicidality, a condition characterized by suicidal thoughts and behavior, among children and adolescents being cured with these treatments. Forest Laboratories, Inc., the producer of Celexa, added a black box warning to Celexa’s prescribing information in response to the advisory of FDA.