Word: halcion
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...Lilly, alleging that the anti-depressant Prozac induces violent thoughts -- despite FDA findings to the contrary. In some cases, companies decide to settle out of court rather than take their chances with juries. Upjohn, for example, paid an undisclosed sum to a woman who claimed the drug Halcion had driven her to commit murder. Most doctors believe the allegation is absurd...
Already the British ban is proving just as controversial as the drug. Many researchers contend that the media have exaggerated Halcion's dangers. "This is sensationalism at its worst," says Dr. James Walsh, president of the American Sleep Disorders Association. "There is no scientific justification for this action." But at least a few scientists believe Halcion should be banned in the U.S. "It's clear that this is a dangerous drug," says Dr. Anthony Kales of the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine...
...Halcion acts on the brain's limbic system, which plays a major role in the genesis of sleep and the emotions. Because it lasts in the body only a matter of hours, it can trigger a boomerang effect, unleashing the very anxiety it was meant to tame. Adverse reactions become more common the higher the dose. Doses of as much as 1.0 mg were once prescribed in Europe, but the recommended dose is now only 0.25 mg. In most cases where Halcion has allegedly been linked to violent behavior, the people took more than is deemed safe, had been drinking...
Physicians cannot prevent patients from taking more tablets than instructed. But following all the publicity about the abuse of Valium in years past, doctors should be more alert to the dangers of overreliance on tranquilizers and sleeping pills. Even if the FDA does not find the evidence against Halcion strong enough to ban the drug, it should be used less cavalierly...
...MEDICINE Halcion has been banned in Britain. Is the sleeping pill safe...