In previous Cymbalta (duloxetine) trials, five individuals committed suicide, amongst them Traci Johnson, 19, a healthy volunteer with no recent history of depression. Cymbalta (Yentreve, duloxetine) is most closely related to Wyeth's SSNRI Effexor/Efexor (venlafaxine). View severe side-effects of Effexor below (scroll down), to be expected with Cymbalta. For more news on Cymbalta (Yentreve, duloxetine) click HERE
During an average of three years of follow-up, 21.4% of the patients taking antidepressants died compared with 12.5% of those not on antidepressants. After adjusting for demographic factors, cardiac risk factors, scores on the Beck Depression Inventory test, and the presence of other illness, antidepressant use was an independent risk factor for mortality, increasing the risk by 62%.
Researchers do not fully understand why antidepressants increase the risk of mortality in these patients. However their findings are statistically significant and show that these drugs do increase the risk of death in heart disease patients. Current and former heart disease patients should weigh the risks and benefits of antidepressants before using these medications.
