Dangers of fluoxetine [Prozac]
 

"Dangers of fluoxetine" which appeared in the January 18, 1997 issue of Lancet is a letter written by Dr. Robert Bourguignon, of Belgium. He reports in his letter that he and a colleague sent questionnaires to 500 Belgium physicians asking for reports of serious side effects from Prozac.

Dr. Bourguignon said in his letter that eleven doctors reported what he classified as serious events. These side effects which were reported included "a feeling of going to die" and panic attacks; "great nervousness" during first 2 weeks of treatment; aggressive behavior coupled with alcohol abuse in one patient; suicidal ideas leading to "paranoid psychosis;" and in two patients nervous breakdowns leading to "barely controllable suicide attempts." The doctor also reported convulsions in two cases.

Dr. Bourguignon's letter gives further information about how the questionnaire was done, as well as describing Eli Lilly's opposition to the questionnaire. He concludes that "The company's reassurance about Prozac's safety of use and efficiency causes some practitioners not to monitor their depressive patients closely enough. Eli Lilly's denial of the existence of these side-effects and refusal to discuss them gives cause for concern. "

Dr. Bourguignon's address is:

Robert Bourguignon, Avenue Louise, 251 bte 8, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

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