Anti-depressant Paxil linked to breast cancer deaths

[happy_liberal]

Women taking a popular anti-depressant at the same time as a drug used to stop breast cancer recurring are more likely to die from the disease, doctors warn.

Researchers have found that the anti-depressant Seroxat can interfere with tamoxifen, which is prescribed to thousands of breast cancer survivors for five years at a time...


A study led by a team from the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Toronto in

Canada looked at 2,430 women aged 66 and over who were being treated between 1993 and 2005.

All were taking tamoxifen and one of five anti-depressants, including Seroxat, which was the most commonly prescribed. Seroxat is also known as paroxetine.

Over the next 2.4 years, 374 died from breast cancer. Analysis showed that those taking Seroxat were far more likely to die from breast cancer and slightly more likely to die from any other cause, compared with women not on the drug.

The researchers found that if patients took Seroxat for 25 per cent of the time they were on tamoxifen, they were 24 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer.

When Seroxat was taken for 50 per cent of the time, there was a 54 per cent increase in the chance of death, and when taken for 75 per cent of the treatment patients were 91 per cent more likely to die.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1249497/Anti-depressant-linked-breast-cancer-deaths.html

(please keep this kicked just in case we have any DUers taking this deadly combo)

[yellerpup]

1. Kick for visibility.

This is shocking news. Thanks for bringing it to us here.

[Mari333]

2. got to send this info to a friend who had both breasts removed and is on Paxil

asap

[happy_liberal]

3. OMG

I would like to think that all the doctors have heard about this study and are passing it on to their patients...but instead people will probably have to find out themselves and pass it on to their doctors...

[Berry Cool]

4. Is your friend on tamoxifen too? n/t

[Mari333]

10. I dont know

I just sent her this tho

[happy_liberal]

5. kick

:kick:

[Contrary1]

6. Kick for evening readers.

[Ocracoker16]

7. Thanks for posting

I read about a possible interaction between Paxil and Tamoxifen some time ago, but this is the first concrete data to support it. It is very important to get this news out there. Good doctors should always ask patients to tell them what medications they are already taking. I hope that the FDA pays attention and puts out a warning so that pharmacists will immediately recognize the deadly combo and contact the doctor who wrote the prescription.

[Mike 03]

8. Worried: I am a male, and I took Paxil for four years. Am I in danger, does anyone know? Cancer

runs in my family. Badly.

[Mike 03]

9. Sorry, forgot to add, men get breast cancer too, like Miles Davis. NT

This is scary stuff.

Thank you and Be Well.

[happy_liberal]

11. kick

:kick: