Lilly adds suicide warning to Straterra


Sep 29, 2005 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co. on Thursday said will add strong warnings to its label for Straterra, used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, including the risk of suicidal thoughts among children and adolescents.

Straterra will carry a "black box" warning, the strongest required by U.S. regulators.

Lilly said there were no suicides among children, adolescents or adults taking the medication during Straterra clinical trials, but there was one suicide attempt in a patient taking the drug.

By JOHN J. LUMPKIN, Associated Press

The Food and Drug Administration warned doctors Thursday about reports of suicidal thinking in some children and adolescents who are taking Strattera, a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co. announced that a black-box warning will be added to the drug's label in the United States. Such a warning is the most serious that can be added to a medication's label, and similar warnings will be added to the drug's labels in other countries. The company said a study showed instances of suicidal thinking were rare.

In a statement, the FDA said it "is advising health care providers and caregivers that children and adolescents being treated with Strattera should be closely monitored for clinical worsening, as well as agitation, irritability, suicidal thinking or behaviors, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of therapy or when the dose is changed."

Eli Lilly said it provided the FDA results from a Strattera clinical trial of 1,357 patients that found five youths taking the medication reported having suicidal thoughts, while none of 851 patients taking a placebo reported having any. One young person taking Strattera attempted suicide, the company said.

There was no evidence of increased suicidal thoughts in adults taking Strattera, which also goes by the generic name atomoxetine, the Indianapolis-based company said.

The warning is the result of a larger FDA review of psychiatric drugs and their possible association with suicide, the agency said.

Strattera has been available since 2002 and been used by more than two million people, the FDA said.

The drug won praise from some doctors and parents when it became available because, unlike Ritalin, it is not a stimulant, a class of drug that can be addictive. But its chemical makeup is similar to certain antidepressants, which last year were associated with an increased risk of suicide.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects as many as 7 percent of school-aged children and 4 percent of adults in the United States.

Strattera's worldwide sales have dropped lately, falling 31 percent to $123.5 million during this year's second quarter from a year earlier.

Lilly warned doctors in December to stop using Strattera in patients with jaundice or who show signs of liver problems, and it placed a warning on the label and in prescribing information after at least two patients on the medication developed liver problems.

Still, the company says it believes the drug is safe.

"While suicidal thinking was uncommon in patients on the medication during clinical trials, it is important for parents to be aware it can occur, and to discuss any unusual symptoms with a physician, " said Alan Breier, Lilly's chief medical officer, in a statement. "Lilly continues to view Strattera as a safe and effective treatment option, and those doing well on the medication should be able to continue their treatment with confidence."

Associated Press reporter Ashley M. Heher in Indianapolis contributed to this report

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050929/ap_on_he_me/fda_strattera_warning&printer=1;_ylt=Ahtw9A0.Ox8OZSrhzYIHRXBa24cA;_ylu=X 3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

I hope that report doesn't worry Strattera users!
It's Important to be able to communicate with Your Care giver/Psychiatrist, that prescribes the Strattera..
If Communication is good, then there shouldn't be a problem...
Any side-effects, should be discussed!

It's a scary thought, that i was taking Strattera and feeling Very Depressed in a matter of 3 days after an updose of the med's... I'm so glad i phoned the Psychiatrists Secretary, to explain how i felt (Psychiatrist was away for a 3 week holiday in Eygpt).
I was an emotional wreck with anxiety attacks, uncontrolable tears and shakes... My head was all over the place!! and i was unable to be a fit parent to my 5 children... i'm glad my two teenagers took control of the situation at home.. because i felt like a living Zombie!

I know that Some people suit taking Strattera... I certainly didn't!

I'm so glad i'm off Strattera now and taking Concerta!

But for All those taking Strattera.. Good Luck and stick to your medication ; Unless your Care giver/Psychiatrist tells you otherwise!

That is a suicidality warning on Strattera (which failed in clinical trials in the 1980's as a depression medication), and previous a warning to physicians on liver failure and death (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01335.html). The suicidality data was known and available before FDA approved release in 2002 and not publicly disclosed by Lilly until now, after millions are on it.

At what point (after a bolded warning and a black box) does the FDA weigh the benefits versus the risks and actually pull a drug? There was no public disclosure here when there should have been.

Once again they have totally forgot adults who were tested, and were the ones with those thoughts and actions, not children. It doesn't ADD up.

It's my firm belief that if you want to commit suicide while taking a drug, you'd have probably had wanted to do it before the drug as well.

In this case, the positive side effects (managed ADHD symptoms) and associated life successes more than probably outweigh any "suicidal thoughts" issues that may/may not come up while you're on Strattera.

A little bit of perspective please. It isn't too much to ask for. No one commits/thinks of suicide simply because of a drug.

please follow this link (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=223686#post223686) to continue the discussion. thanks.