Thursday, January 27, 2005

Ritalin Causes Depression -- Wall Street Journal

"New research is raising questions about the long-term effects of Ritalin and other drugs widely used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder." says the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

The article goes on to say, "Now, new studies in rats suggest that methylphenidate, the generic name for Ritalin , may permanently alter the brain and may lead to depression in adulthood."

The article then begins to question how psychiatrists diagnose ADHD -- the so-called "mental illness" for which Ritalin is sold. "...the criteria for the disorder -- such as whether a child is easily distracted, doesn't seem to listen or can't sit still -- are highly subjective and could easily describe many healthy children. Some psychiatrists believe that as many as 15% of kids diagnosed with ADHD actually suffer from some other problem that wouldn't be helped by drugs -- such as a learning disability, a sleep disorder or even a difficult relationship with a teacher."

Elsewhere in the Wall Street Journal, Eli Lilly reports a 4th quarter loss.

The handwriting is on the wall.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Zyprexa = Prozac = Bad News

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co. on Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter net loss on charges for restructuring and taxes related to the return of overseas profits, as sales of prescription drugs rose only slightly.

Global sales of schizophrenia treatment Zyprexa, Lilly's biggest product that has been hurt in the United States by concerns over side effects, fell further in the quarter..."


In case you were wondering, Zyprexa is repackaged Prozac. The patent ran out on Prozac, so they decided the same poison should be promoted differently as a solution for different "illnesses" and off they went with a newly patented drug, which was really a makeover of the old drug. But it's not working!