Sarafem withdrawal. Sarafem withdrawal side effects, withdrawal warnings, withdrawal precautions, withdrawal adverse effects, overdose, withdrawal symptoms and natural alternatives. Before you begin the spiral down with Sarafem, try giving your body what it really wants.

Sarafem
(Prozac)

PMDD is an unofficial "mental disorder." Unlike the recent Eli Lilly advertisements, a women must experience five or more symptoms before the diagnosis can be made. 

Eli Lilly is trying so hard to come up with another drug winner to replace Prozac in August 2001, when their patent on Prozac expires, they are exhibiting obsessive-compulsive-disorder in their efforts!

PMDD symptoms are:

• Markedly depressed mood

• Marked anxiety

• Marked affectivity

• Decreased interest in activities

• Feeling sad, hopeless or self-deprecating

• Feeling tense, anxious or "on edge"

• Persistent irritability, anger and increased interpersonal conflicts

• Feeling fatigued, lethargic or lacking in energy

• Marked changes in appetite

• A subjective feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control

• Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, swelling or bloating

New labeling for Sarafem ordered by the FDA

Female Sexual Dysfunction with SSRIs—Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as manifestations of a mood-related disorder, they may also be a consequence of pharmacologic treatment. In particular, some evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause such untoward sexual experiences. Reliable estimates of the incidence and severity of untoward experiences involving sexual desire, performance, and satisfaction are difficult to obtain, however, in part because patients and physicians may be reluctant to discuss them. Accordingly, estimates of the incidence of untoward sexual experience and performance cited in product labeling, are likely to underestimate their actual incidence. For example, in women (age 18-45) receiving fluoxetine for indications other than PMDD, decreased libido was seen at an incidence of 4% for fluoxetine compared to 1% for placebo. There have been spontaneous reports in women (age 18-45) taking fluoxetine for indications other than PMDD of orgasmic dysfunction, including anorgasmia.

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"The Name Changes, But the Drug Remains the Same: Prozac vs Sarafem by 9NEWS health reporter Dr. Stephanie Clements

March 23, 2001

Mental health experts want the public to know that new marketing does not a new drug make. They are especially concerned over the remarketing of Prozac as Sarafem, frequently advertised as a new treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Several Denver psychiatrists, including Dr. Joanne Ritvo, say the ads don't make it clear that Sarafem and Prozac are the exact same drug, fluoxetine (it's chemical name.) "I presume the company felt like it could get past the stigma, the bad wrap that Prozac has had over the years, by calling it a different name. But some women will say, 'what do you mean I'm taking Prozac, I didn't want to be taking Prozac!, says Dr. Ritvo, who treats a fair number of women suffering from PMDD. Ritvo's concerns parallel those of other mental health professionals interviewed by phone: 1. Women may not realize they're indeed taking an antidepressant, and need to stay away from alcohol and other medications with harmful interactions. 2. Since very few referrals for counseling/psychotherapy are made these days, the drug will be prescribed mainly by non-mental health professionals. Studies show the average interview for mental illness in a non-specialist's office is about 3 minutes, according to Dr. Ritvo. Without a thorough history and physical and a lengthy family history of mental illness, serious predisposition to mental illness like manic depression (bipolar disorder) may be missed. In those patients Prozac/Sarafem/fluoxetine can actually trigger manic depression! 3. Patients will get pills, but not counseling. Once they're off the medication, the problems will likely return. Scientific literature is abounding with evidence that pills without counseling is not very successful, short term or long term. 4. The direct advertising campaign sparks patients to diagnose themselves, then pressure their doctors for the drugs. Dr. Ritvo says it is obviously a very successful approach for the drug companies, but she worries about misdiagnoses leading to further illness in those circumstances. 5. The overall tenor of the TV advertising that comes across as promoting a simple pill to 'cure' a very complicated problem. 6. The drug is the longest-acting antidepressant, staying in the body for 7 to 9 days. That means if a patient is over-stimulated by it, doctors have great difficulty reversing the effect. When prescribed correctly to the appropriate patient, Ritvo says the drug can go a long ways in treating legitimate depression, some anxiety disorders and indeed some cases of PMDD. She urges both doctors and patients to be very careful using fluoxetine."

Other links www.aboutpsychdrugs.com The Road Back