Original article no longer available
The Denver Post
November 5, 1991
Author: Ann Schrader; Denver Post Medical/Science Writer; DENVER POST
Prozac, a controversial anti-depressant, has drawn more reports of adverse reactions than any other drug in Colorado over the last year, the state department of health reported yesterday.
Of 223 adverse drug reactions reported to the health department between Sept. 1, 1990, and Aug. 31, 1991, 16 involved Prozac. Selegiline, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease, was second with eight mentions.
Prozac, which has received national publicity for alleged links to violent behavior, suicide and movement disorders, was reported twice as often as any other drug for causing minor to severe reactions.
Prozac was the suspect drug in five serious reactions that resulted in, or prolonged, hospitalization. The reactions reported to the Colorado Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program included a grand mal seizure, a birth defect, anxiety, paranoia, disorientation, agitation and confusion.
Barbara Hruska, program director, said there is no warning of such reactions on current Prozac labels.
Ed West, a spokesman for Prozac manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co., said he hadn’t heard about seizures or fetal defects being possible reactions to the drug. He said many psychiatric drugs cause side effects such as anxiety or confusion.
Colorado, Mississippi and Rhode Island are the only three states with voluntary adverse drug reaction reporting. The information is forwarded to the FDA, which also conducts spot checks and has other monitoring programs. Hruska said patients should report adverse drug reactions to their doctors.
Record Number: DNVR96743