Seroxat videos

I thought I’d start a page to hold all the various Seroxat videos that are out there. I intend to slowly build up the archive so it can act as a handy reference point for all those interested in finding out more, starting with Taken on Trust, a seven part Panorama programme, originally broadcast here in the UK on 21 September 2004:

Taken on Trust 1-7

Taken on Trust – We take it on trust that the drugs our doctors prescribe are safe and effective. But this special investigation exposed huge failings in the system of medicines regulation that is supposed to monitor drug safety. It revealed how patients’ lives have been put at risk as a result.

Panorama took a unique journey inside the secret world of the medicines regulator and discovered that it had been sitting on crucial safety information about one of Britain’s most widely-prescribed antidepressants for over a decade. Panorama had been investigating claims that Seroxat could cause addiction, self-harm, aggression and even suicide. The medicines regulator always denied there was evidence to back up these claims. But the programme revealed that, not only is the evidence there, it’s been lying dormant in the regulator’s archive for at least 13 years.

One insider told the programme: “I have little confidence that the drugs they’re licensing day by day are being licensed in a way that I would feel appropriate and – I have very little confidence in drugs that have been regulated in the past.”

What the programme uncovered led to some of the most influential names in medicine asking if we’re being told the truth about the pills that we take. Dr Mike Shooter, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “It has serious implications for the whole of psychiatry, it has serious implications for the whole of medicine. I think a few years down the line we are going to be talking about this with many more sorts of medication.”

Secrets of the Drug Trials (Panorama starts about 3 minutes in)

Secrets of the Drug Trials – Secret emails revealed that the UK’s biggest drug company distorted trial results of an anti-depressant, covering up a link with suicide in teenagers and was first broadcast on 29 January 2007. Panorama revealed that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) attempted to show that Seroxat worked for depressed children despite failed clinical trials. And that GSK-employed ghostwriters influenced ‘independent’ academics.

GSK faces action in the US where bereaved families have joined together to sue the company. As a result, GSK was forced to open its confidential internal archive. Karen Barth Menzies is a partner in one of the firms representing many of the families. She examined thousands of the documents which are stored, box upon box, in an apartment in Malibu, California. She said: “Even when they have negative studies that show that this drug Seroxat is going to harm some kids they still spin that study as remarkably effective and safe for children.”

GSK’s biggest clinical trial of Seroxat on children was held in the US in the 1990s and called Study 329. Child psychiatrist Dr Neal Ryan of the University of Pittsburgh was paid by GSK as a co-author of Study 329. In 2002 he also gave a talk on childhood depression at a medical conference sponsored by GSK. He said that Seroxat could be a suitable treatment for children and later told Panorama reporter Shelley Jofre that it probably lowered rather than raised suicide rates.

In amongst the archive of emails in Malibu, Shelley was surprised to find that her own emails to Dr Ryan from 2002 asking questions about the safety of Seroxat had been forwarded to GSK asking for advice on how to respond to her. She also found an email from a public relations executive working for GSK which said: “Originally we had planned to do extensive media relations surrounding this study until we actually viewed the results. Essentially the study did not really show it was effective in treating adolescent depression, which is not something we want to publicise.”

The editor in chief of the British Medical Journal, Fiona Godlee, said that what she calls the “blind-eye culture of medicine” should be exposed by professionals. She has written in response to the Panorama film: “We shouldn’t have to rely on investigative journalists to ask the difficult questions. “Reputations for sale are reputations at risk. We need to make that risk so high it’s not worth taking.”

The Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) began a criminal investigation into GSK in the first week of October 2003… but still no action has been taken as yet.

Seroxat Withdrawal

Seroxat Withdrawal – This video shows what 5 days without Seroxat looks like – Werxie writes “Me after 5 days without taking Seroxat/Paxil(paroxetine). I was going to edit up the 15 minute video I made so most of the crap was taken out but I can’t concentrate long enough to do that. I have been taking it for 6 years, and this was a sudden withdrawl (I was waiting for a prescription). They suggest tapering the dosage to come off them, though there is much anecdotal evidence showing the difficulties people can have. I would honestly ask if your doctor could put you on one of the other SSRIs. Seroxat seems to be the worst to come off.”

Voices that need to be heard

Voices that need to be heard – This video is one of many that can be found on YouTube and other such websites. It was made by a Seroxat Survivor – someone who understands what the drug can make you do and make you feel.

Paxil addiction stories

Paxil addiction stories – This report is from ABC Primetime Live in America – strong stuff indeed.

GlaxoSmithkline suppresses Paxil/Seroxat trial data

GlaxoSmithkline suppresses Paxil/Seroxat trial data – Yes, you read it right… if the clinical trial data doesn’t show drugs in a good light what can be done? Hang on, I know – just hide the results and lie about them! This from World News Tonight on ABC in America.

Uncomfortably Numb

Uncomfortably Numb – a film maker records his own Paxil/Seroxat withdrawal nightmare.

Antidepressants and School Shootings, Suicide, Addiction

Antidepressants and School Shootings, Suicide, Addiction – it’s hard to believe, but they give these drugs to children… this is a shocking video. Pay particular attention to the impassive members of the FDA panel listening to the horror stories being told to them.

Antidepressants exposed

Antidepressants exposed – Professor David Healy in this video.

School shootings – Fox news on the anti depressant connection

Why aren’t medical records of shooters being released? How long do we have to wait for an investigation?

Dr Peter Breggin – Medication Madness

A three part interview from Fox News from July 2008.

Why don’t people listen to the likes of Peter Breggin and David Healy?

Why don’t the drug companies listen? Why aren’t the drugs safe?

Seroxat and Paxil lies… from the horse’s mouth!

This is a great compilation of some of the things that have been said about Seroxat.