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26/02/2008
Report Suggests Anti-depressants Are A Waste Of Time
New-generation anti-depressants are a waste of time, a review of clinical trials has found.
The research suggests anti-depressants worked no better than a dummy pill for mildly depressed patients and for most people suffering severe depression.
Only a small group of patients with extreme depression showed any beneficial effect, the team from the University of Hull reported.
Prof Irving Kirsch, the lead researcher, said: "In the best interests of patients it is time for a change of emphasis to non-drug treatments and reserve these drugs for very severely depressed patients."
The researchers looked at four commonly-used anti-depressants and the clinical trials submitted to gain licensing approval. They included anti-depressants regularly prescribed in the UK, including fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Efexor) and paroxetine (Seroxat).
They found little evidence of benefit when analysing both unpublished and published data from the drug companies.
The drug manufacturers said their products had helped millions of people. A spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline, which makes Seroxat, said: "This analysis has only examined a small subset of the total data available whilst regulatory bodies around the world have conducted extensive reviews and evaluations of all the data available, and this one study should not be used to cause unnecessary alarm and concern for patients."
(CD/JM)
The research suggests anti-depressants worked no better than a dummy pill for mildly depressed patients and for most people suffering severe depression.
Only a small group of patients with extreme depression showed any beneficial effect, the team from the University of Hull reported.
Prof Irving Kirsch, the lead researcher, said: "In the best interests of patients it is time for a change of emphasis to non-drug treatments and reserve these drugs for very severely depressed patients."
The researchers looked at four commonly-used anti-depressants and the clinical trials submitted to gain licensing approval. They included anti-depressants regularly prescribed in the UK, including fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Efexor) and paroxetine (Seroxat).
They found little evidence of benefit when analysing both unpublished and published data from the drug companies.
The drug manufacturers said their products had helped millions of people. A spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline, which makes Seroxat, said: "This analysis has only examined a small subset of the total data available whilst regulatory bodies around the world have conducted extensive reviews and evaluations of all the data available, and this one study should not be used to cause unnecessary alarm and concern for patients."
(CD/JM)
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12 August 2009
Treatment 'Worse Than Cure' For Depressed
While adults taking antidepressants are not at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour, young adults - aged less than 25 years of age - are at an increased risk, similar to that seen in children and adolescents, finds research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com today.
Treatment 'Worse Than Cure' For Depressed
While adults taking antidepressants are not at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour, young adults - aged less than 25 years of age - are at an increased risk, similar to that seen in children and adolescents, finds research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com today.
18 February 2005
MHRA reissues antidepressant advice
The Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has resissued recent advice on SSRIs, following a number of studies published in the latest edition of the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
MHRA reissues antidepressant advice
The Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has resissued recent advice on SSRIs, following a number of studies published in the latest edition of the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
12 May 2005
Ecstasy and anti-depressants could halt cancer growth
Scientists have discovered possible cancer-busting properties in ecstasy and anti-depressant drugs. Research at the University of Birmingham, backed by the Leukaemia Research Fund, discovered that over half of lymphoma (cancers of white blood cells) samples studied responded in test tubes to the growth-halting properties of psychotropic drugs.
Ecstasy and anti-depressants could halt cancer growth
Scientists have discovered possible cancer-busting properties in ecstasy and anti-depressant drugs. Research at the University of Birmingham, backed by the Leukaemia Research Fund, discovered that over half of lymphoma (cancers of white blood cells) samples studied responded in test tubes to the growth-halting properties of psychotropic drugs.
08 December 2004
UK-wide rise in time taken to save for first house
It takes first time buyers six months longer to save for a house deposit when compared to the first quarter of 2004 and one year nine months longer than in 1994.
UK-wide rise in time taken to save for first house
It takes first time buyers six months longer to save for a house deposit when compared to the first quarter of 2004 and one year nine months longer than in 1994.
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