October 23, 2003

Prozac and the Damage Done

Having been the victim of weird drug reactions, which, by the way, are often known, but largely unexplained, except in 2-1/2 point type in some kind of package insert that the pharmacist never gives the drug purchaser, but says that the doctor should have explained after he finds out that you had paranoid delusions, memory loss, suicidal tendencies, and ... ummm, other stuff, ... not that I had any of these largely ignored, but known weird drug reactions, but have heard of ... friends ... yes, ... friends, who have had these reactions, I am interested in the latest that drug companies have to offer and researchers have to say about the pharmacopoeia being foisted on the American public, for prices that put diamond brokers to shame, in the name of good health.

Scientists (oh, those pesky scientists!) have raised questions concerning the ability of waste water treatment plants to handle by-products of Prozac. In fact, these scientists have determined that fish in Lake Lewisville, near Dallas, fresh water blue gills, to be exact, are on Prozac, which they believe is coming from urinals and toilets in the Dallas area, running through the wastewater treatment plants untouched and being ingested by blue gills (in less than therapeutic doses, which leads to the questions of (1) how the scientists know what the therapeutic dose is for blue gills and (2) what shrinks the scientists themselves are seeing).

Nobody has asked the big question, though. Is it safe to drink the water in Dallas? Groups are protesting the fluoridation of water.

Should they really be protesting the fluoxetination of the water by short-sighted, greedy pharmaceutical companies instead?

Are we truly a Prozac Nation?

And what about fucking Celexa? Not that I really care, that is, except those side effects I mentioned are buried on page 9 of the "Prescribing Information." Me, bitter? No, not me. That was a ... friend.

Posted by Bill at October 23, 2003 02:22 PM
Comments

You know Bill, you raised an interesting question. Since reading blogs, I have been amazed at how many Americans take some form of drug and not for an illness of some sort but for depression, to help them get through the day, to help them sleep at night. In ZA, doctors will only prescribed that type of medication as a last resort. So I would like to know the answer.. are you a truly prozac nation?

Posted by: Michelle at October 23, 2003 03:08 PM

I thought Celexa was Prozac just the version that hit the markets when Lilly forgot to continue it's patent. (Duh, Lilly!)

-d

Posted by: -d at October 23, 2003 04:29 PM

I would really like to know your references for Prozac in Blue Gills. I find it hard to believe, and would have thought it to be sarcasim had you not come up with a legitimate lake.

Posted by: badtrouble at March 1, 2004 09:16 AM