INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE

The Depressing Truth aboutAntidepressantsAmericans now spend more money on antidepressants than theGross National Product of two-thirds of the world's countries.by Rodger Murphree, D.C.

T Hf- FOOD AND DRUCI ADMINISTRATION CLEARED THE ANTI-

depressant drug Prozac in 1988. Within two years ot itsdebut, Prozac was the number-one antidepressant drug.

New York magazine called it a "wonder drug." The March1990 issue of Newsweek had a picture Prozac on its cover.By 1994, it had become the fastest-growing prescription drugin America, with sales over $1.2 billion. Two other selectiveserotonin re-uptake inhibiting (SSRI) drugs, Paxil and Zoloft,had almost equal sales, ln 1998, these three medications ac-counted for over $4 billion in annual sales. And. prescriptionsfor antidepressant-dnig therapy have nearly tripled in the lastdecade, reaching $37 billion in sales in 2003.

One in three doctor visits by women now involve a prescrip-tion for an antidepressant medication. And one in ten Americanwomen take at least one antidepressant drug. Americans nowspend more money on antidepressants than the Gross NationalProduct of two-thirds ofthe world'scountries.

It may surprise you to know thatthe FDA approved Eli Lilly's Prozacbased on three studies involving 286patients over a period of six weeks.Ofthe fourteen studies submitted forreview, only three proved that Prozacwas more effective than a placebo oran older antidepressant. Almost halfofthe studies show that up to 70 per-cent of those taking SSR! antidepres-sant medications do just as well by taking a placebo or sugarpill. And, the other half, show that overall improvement wasminimal. Individuals on SSRI dmgs increased their HamiltonRating Scale by two points compared to those on placebo.

For the record, I do believe these medications can be help-ful. I've wimessed first hand how they have benefited family,friends, and patients. However, the indiscriminate use of theseoverly hyped, potentially dangerous drugs has become all toocommon. Consider that the fastest growth spurt for antide-pressant dmgs has been in preschoolers, ages two to four. In2003, more than one million American children were taking anantidepressant medication.

This is rather alarming, since the FDA has warned thatantidepressants increase the risk of suicide in those under ageeighteen. Just as alarming is the fact that many of the SSRI

Almost half of the studiesshow that up to 7 0 %of those taking SSR!

antidepressant medicationsdo just as well by taking a

placebo or sugar pill.

drugs have proven to be ineffective (worthless) in the treat-ment of adolescent depression. Courtroom documents revealthis little email gem from GlaxoSmithKUne: "Essentially, thestudy (concerning Paxil) did not really show it was effectivein treating adolescent depression, which is not something wewant to publicize."

If I were Joe America, I sure would want to know whetherthe antidepressant I was considering for my teenage son was:I. effective, and 2. safe. Wouldn't you?

Other SRRi drugs have been found to be Just as dangerous.Zoloft has been linked to suicidal tendencies. The pediatricstudies involving Zoloft show it to be no more than 10 percentmore effective than placebo. And, side effects occurred threehundred times more in those taking Zoloft than those takinga placebo.

In December of 2006, the agency gave advanced notice ofits new findings: Antidepressants, allof them, according to the FDA, causeincreased suicidality in young adults.Suicide occurs more than twice asmuch with antidepressants than withsugar pills in individuals under agetwenty-five. This statistic is evenmore scandalous when you leam thatEli Lilly knew from its earliest trials,in 1985, that Prozac increased the riskof suicide by as much as 12 to 1 overplacebo or older antidepressants.

Individuals, age twenty-five and above, who take SSRI dmgsshould know that they aren't immune from suicidal risk or thenumerous side effects associated with these dmgs. Commonside effects include anxiety, depression, headache, muscle pain,chest pain, nervousness, sleeplessness, drowsiness, weakness,changes in sex drive, tremors, dry mouth, irritated stomach,loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, rash, itching, weight gain,diarrhea, impotence, hair loss, dry skin, chest pain, bronchitis,abnormal heart beat, twitching, anemia, low blood sugar, andlow thyroid.

Prozac, alone, has been associated with over 1,734 suicidedeaths and over 28,000 adverse reactions. The FDA estimatesthat only 1-5 percent of negative dmg reactions are ever re-ported. With this in mind, it is reasonable to suspect that Prozacmay be associated with 156.060 suicide deaths and 2,520,000

48 The American Chiropractor • APRIL 2007 www. amchiropraetor.eom

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE

adverse reactions! Researchers agree that the SSRI drugs areall similar in nature so tbat they share many, if not all, of thesame potential side effects. Essentially, individuals who takeCelexa, Paxil, Lexapro, and Zoloft are all in the same boat.Unfortunately, many of the side effects elicited from thesemedications are never uncovered.

Practical ObservationsA case in point is generalized

muscle spasms, aches, and pains,which are common side effects ofSSRI drugs. These spasms may occurin the neck, shoulders, or lower back.(This particular side effect ean oftencomplicate matters wben I treat some of my chronic back painor fibromyalgia patients.) Sleep disturbances, either insomnia orsomnolence, have been reported in about 25 percent of patientstaking serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.

Could your patient's insomnia be due to their SSRI medica-tion? Rarely, if ever, is tbe patient encouraged to wean off oftheir antidepressant to see if it is, in fact, causing tbeir poorsleep-whieb, of course, increases their risk of other healthproblems (fibromyalgia, chronic pain, lowered immune func-tion, weight gain, adrenal fatigue, etc.).

Since Mrs. Jones is having problems falling asleep, her familydoctor prescribes Ambien. And, while she is able to sleep better.

The pediatric studies involvingZoloft show it to be no morethan 1 0 % more effective

than placebo.

Ambien may cause short-tenn memory loss, flu-Mke symptoms,"brain fog," early-moming fatigue, and more depression. Noproblem—a little Aderrall will get her going in the morning. Acouple of montbs later, she begins to have anxiety and panieattacks. No fear—Xanax is here. And, on it goes. Meanwhile,

none of tbe consulting doctors eversuspect the SSRI drug as being tbeoriginator of this chain of events.This scenario is all too common.

Just as concerning are the studieswhich show that using these drugscauses the brain to release less andless serotonin. SSRI drugs work byblocking tbe removal of serotonin

from its synapse. Over time, tbe brain tries to compensate byshulling down the nerves tbat produce the neurotransmitter. Thisis known as down-regulation. Eventually, the brain begins toreduee tbe number of serotonin receptors—up to 40-60 percentin some parts of tbe brain—until they literally disappear fromtbe brain. This is one of tbe reasons, besides the diiig simply notworking, that patients often switch from one antidepressant toanother And, unfortunately, the reduction of serotonin receptoi-smay become permanent. If so, the patient is most likely doomedto a life of anxiety, depression, and poor health.

Patients who stop their mood-disorder drugs may experi-ence an assortment of unwanted side etTects. The possible

To learn more, circle #30 on Ihe Action Card

www.amchiwpractor.com APRIL 2007 * The American Chiropractor 49

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE

withdrawal symptoms include severe depression, anxiety,agitation, dizziness, spinning sensations, swaying, difficultywalking, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, flu-like symptoms,lethargy, muscle pain, tingling or electric shock sensations, andsleep disturbances.

Patients may falsely fee! that the increased feelings of de-pression and/or anxiety are because they still need their mood-disorder drug. However, they may not aetually need the drugbut. like an aleoholic who stops drinking, they often feel worsebefore they feel better. There are reports of antidepressant-re-lated withdrawal symptoms lasting two to three months afterdiscontinuing the medication. Withdrawal symptoms of benzo-diazepines (Xanax, Ativan, etc.) may last up to one year.

The Silver LiningFortunately, there is a happy ending to this story, There are

a number of safe and effective nutritional therapies to helppatients beat their mood disorders. 1 prefer to use amino acidswhich, when combined with essential vitamins and tninerals,are the raw ingredients that make the neurotransmitters. Theamino acid tryptophan. or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), tumsinto serotonin. Studies eomparing 5HTP to SSRI's and olderantidepressants have consistently showTi that 5HTP is as good,if not better, than the prescription drugs.

There are over 100 peer-reviewed studies showing thatS-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) is a safe and effeetive antide-pressant. It increases the action of several neurotransmitters

SubscribeTHE AMERICAN CHIROPRACTOR

Subscribe now and save up to 56%:, GOOD DEAL! US $86

Save 34% off the cover price!Get 12 issues plus our Buyer's Guide,13 issues lotal-YOU S A V E $44

— BEST DEAL! US $174.00Buy 2 years-the 3rd is FREE!Get 12 issues per year plus our Buyer's Guide,39 issues !oial-YOU S A V E $216

Have your credit card ready!!Visit: www.TheAmericanChiropractor.com

Dial Toll-free number1-888-668-8728 or E-mail us at

info@amchiropractor,com

ineluding serotonin, norepinephrine. and dopamine. A reviewof twenty-three randomized double-blind, placebo-controlledstudies involving 1,757 people with mild to moderate depres-sion shows that the herb St. John's Wort was nearly three timessuperior to placebo (certainly better than most prescription drugtrials) in relieving depressive symptoms.

Perhaps its time we start eorrecting nutritional insufficienciesinstead of treating Prozac deficiencies.

Dr Murphree is a board certified nutritional specialistand chiropractic physician who has been in private practicesince 1990. He is the founder and past clinic director for alarge integrated medical practice located on the campus ofBrookwood Hospital in Birmingham. Alabama. He is theauthor of five books for patients and doctors.

In 2002, Dr Murphree sold his medical practice and now maintainsa busy solo practice specializing infibromyalgia. chronic fatigue syn-dwme. heart disease, mood disorders, and other chronic illnesses.

He can be reached tollf}-ee at!'888-884-9577 or at 1-205-879-2383:by email at drrodger@yahoo.com: or visit MOIW. TreatingandBeatingcom.

Referencest. Robitis LN, Rcgier DA (Eds), Psychiatric Disorders in America. The

Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. 1990. New York: The FreePress.

2. Beth Hawkins. "A Pill is Not Enough." City Pages.com, Vol 25, issue1225. Minneapolis MN.

3. JAMA, February 23. 2000; 283:1025-1030.1059-10604. Drug repon barred by FDA. "Scientist Links Antidepressants to Suicide

in Kids." Rob Waters. Special to The Chwnicle, Sunday, February 1,2004.

5. Joan-Ramone Laportc and Albert Figueras. Placebo Effects in Psychiatry.Lancet 334 (1993): 1206-8.

6. Death and near death attributed to Prozac. Citizens Commission onHuman Rights,

7. Whittle TJ, Wiland Richard, The Story Behind Prozac. The KilierDrug. Freedom Magazine, 6331 Hollywood BLVD., Suite 1200, LosAngeles, CA 90028.

8. Monthly Prescribing Reference Haymarket Media Publication, Nov2005. New York NY

9. Peter R, Breggin. MD. The Antidepressant Fact Book: What YourDoctor Won 't Tel! Yuu .About Prozac. Zoloft. Paxil. Celexa and Luvox.Perseus Books, 200 L

10. Kirsch I, Moore TJ. Scoboria A. Nicholls SS (2002). The Emperor'sNew Drugs: An Analysis of Antidepressant Medication Data Submittedto the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Prev Treat 5:23,

11. Moncricff J, Kirsch I (2005), Efficacy of Antidepressants in Adults.SA/J 331:155-157.

12. Sidney Wolfe, Lany Sasich. and Rose-Ellen Hope. Worst Pills BestPills. Pocket Books. New York, NY 1999,

13. LeapeLL. Error in Medicine. JAMA, 1994 Dec.2l; 272(23): 1851-7,14. Birdsall T.. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically Effective Serotonin

Precursor. Alt Med Rev 1998; 3(4):27I-280.15. W. Poldinger, B. Calancini, W. Schwartz. A Functional-dimensional

Approach to Depression: Serotonin Deticieticy as a Target Syndromein Comparison of 5HTP and Fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 24(1991):53-8I,

16.Costa and Grcengard (1984). Frontiers in Biochemical PhamacologicalResearch in Depression. Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacohgy.Vol39.p.301-313.

17. Meyers, S. Use of Neurotransmitter Precursors for Treatment ofDepression, Altern. Med Rev.. 2000 Feb; 5(1): 64-7t,

18, Linde, K. , Ramirez, G, Mulrow. C D . Pauls. A.. Weidenhammer,W., Melchart, D. St. John's Wort for Depression: An Overview andMeta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Br. MeU. J. 1996, Aug3:313{7052):253-ini

50 The American Chiropractor • APRIL 2007 www. amchiropractor com