Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7269

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Perrone M.
Wyeth Drug Shows Higher Risk of Overdose: FDA and Wyeth Advise Doctors to Prescribe Lower Quantities of Antidepressant to Avoid Overdose
Yahoo Finance 2006 Oct 25
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061025/wyeth_fda.html?.v=2

Abstract:

The Food and Drug Administration recommended Wednesday that doctors prescribe the smallest quantity of Wyeth’s Effexor possible to help protect patients from fatally overdosing on the antidepressant pills.
The agency announced changes to the drug’s labeling today based on evidence of patients overdosing on the popular antidepressant, usually when taking it in combination with other drugs and alcohol.

Preceding the FDA’s decision was a letter from Wyeth, which says studies have shown Effexor patients are more likely to overdose than patients taking a different class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs. Drugs in that class include Celexa, Zoloft and Prozac.

Negative side affects connected with the drug range in seriousness from vomiting to death, according to the Oct. 17 letter Wyeth sent to doctors. But physicians still have discretion to determine what quantity to prescribe to patients.

Prudential Financial analyst Timothy Anderson wrote in a note to investors today that Wyeth’s announcement will only have “a marginal direct impact on the brand.” However it will likely cement Effexor into a “‘second-line’ position” behind other drugs.

Global sales for the drug were $3.5 billion in 2005.

Shares of Wyeth rose 8 cents to $52.40 Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.