Common drugs may enhance suicidal urges

About 50% of pemphigus and pemphigoid patients take antidepressants, as do many people around the world. In late March the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about widely prescribed SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) antidepressants.

Celexa, Effexor, Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro, Luvox, Remeron, Serzone, Wellbutrin and Zoloft are the drugs named by the FDA.

Manufacturers of these medicines have been asked to include a warning statement recommending close obser-vation of patients for worsening depression, or the emer- gence of suicidal tendencies, especially at the beginning of drug therapy or when medications are changed.

This is especially true for patients with bipolar disorder, but any patient suffering a worsening of depression or suicidal tendencies should discuss with their doctor discontinuation of medication, but never stop taking medications without supervision. To do so may be dangerous in itself.

Symptoms patients are urged to report include: an-xiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, host-ility, impulsivity, an inability to sit still or mania.

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