Monday, April 26, 2004

High-Dose Cyclic Antidepressants Linked With Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death
Reuters Health story at Medscape - "The risk of sudden cardiac death is not increased with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, or tricyclic and other related cyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in doses less than 100 mg, according to results of a study published in the March issue of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. However, there appears to be an association between higher doses of TCAs and increased relative risk." "med"  
  

Drug Makers Hope to Kill the Kick in Pain Relief
April 20 New York Times story - "Worried that millions of Americans are using prescription opiate painkillers to get high rather than to ease severe chronic pain, drug makers are working on ways to prevent abuse. Cooperating closely with government officials and pain specialists, the companies are educating doctors, rewriting warning labels and tracking pills as they move from pharmacy to patient..." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].