What does it mean?

[waterflow]

I saw where the FDA has added the cymbalta and hepain to their "can be dangerous" list. Anyone know what it all means? I started my worrying about the both of them again. :rolleyes: Does it mean they are going to pull them off the market later on down the road or they really aren't safe to take? I don't know if they mean the heparin as a injected form or does it go into the blood stream from the bladder too? The heparin is the main thing that has helped all these years and I didn't take the cymbalta this morning. Figured if they do pull it off the market I might as well start now getting off of it since it's harder to get off then the vicoden. I really wish they would make up their minds or to me it seems they are going over board now really. Anyone know about this? :confused:

[ICNDonna]

Please talk with your doctor about your medications. Not everyone has problems with heparin or with cymbalta. You were doing pretty well on your medications and I don't want to see you in misery again.

Donna

[vm]

Here's their actual report: http://www.fda.gov/cder/aers/potential_signals/potential_signals_2008Q1.htm

Cymbalta is apparently on it for possibly having a side effect of urinary retention for some people.

Heparin is on it for possible anaphylatic-like reactions.

All it means is that SOME people have reported those reactions and it MAY just mean it's information that needs to be added to the medication inserts. It doesn't mean they will pull the medications off of the market. It also doesn't mean lots of people will have those side effects. It just means they'll be looking into those reports more closely.

This is the explanation they give:

The following reports list any potential signals of serious risks/new safety information that were identified using the AERS database during the indicated quarter. The appearance of a drug on this list does not mean that FDA has concluded that the drug has this listed risk. It means that FDA has identified a potential safety issue, but does not mean that FDA has identified a causal relationship between the drug and the listed risk. If after further evaluation the FDA determines that the drug is associated with the risk, it may take a variety of actions including requiring changes to the labeling of the drug, requiring development of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), or gathering additional data to better characterize the risk.

http://www.fda.gov/cder/aers/potential_signals/default.htm

[vm]

Mt edit button didn't show up on my first post so I added info to a second post. Now I can't delete the first! :bonk::bonk::bonk::bonk: Feel free to delete that first one mods - total duplication except for a tiny addition in the second post!

[SharonA]

Kim...I deleted the first one for you. :)

[jen74]

I would talk to your doctor or your pharmacist if you are worried about it. Remember, they have to report every single adverse reaction that happens, even if it is only in a small number of people. Try not to worry. Again, I would ask your pharmacist, they will know what is being taken off the market and what the reason is.
Jen

[charmedx3]

I am on cymbalta and I would really talk to you dr before you stop. I think half of us have retention anyways. For me Cymbalta has saved me! It has done so much for me. Good Luck!

[dyno]

Mary, I agree with the others, talk to your Dr. before you stop taking anything. You have been doing better is seems so before you mess with that see what he says. :)

[waterflow]

He didn't hear about it but said he would check into it. He said he wasn't surprised about the cymbalta since those kind of pills can cause so many problems. I told him I was getting off of it and how it was a hard one to get off of. He didn't say anymore about it. I just have a feeling they are going to pull it off the market and the longer I'm on it the harder to get off of it. Did get to thinking I haven't seen a commercial on TV in a long time for the cymbalta and used to see it all the time. At least 3 times a day or more. In a way really I don't want a life of pills so will see how it goes.