www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, June 16, 2010 · 10 Paxil advisories issued by Health Canada Continued from page 9 so good ALWAYS FOR SO LITTLE.® Happy Father's Day Come in this Father's Day and let us do the grilling! SPECIAL OFFER FOR DAD: On Father's Day, when Dad orders any Chicken Dinner, he will receive a 1/3 Rack of BBQ Ribs for FREE! It is our way of saying "Thanks Dad!" Dad's also have a chance to win a golf foursome at the Royal Ontario Golf Club! 1011 Upper Middle Rd., Oakville 905-844-8751 217 Cross Ave., Oakville 905-844-9170 5165 Dixie Rd., Mississauga 905-238-0798 252 Lakeshore Rd. W., These advisories also confirmed disinhibition, depersonalization and Akathisia as possible Paxil side effects. Berthiaume also pointed out the 2004 advisory recommends rigorous clinical monitoring for all patients of all ages taking the drug with high risk patients, those under 18, being closely monitored during treatment. On Feb. 3, 2004 Health Canada also recommended patients taking Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Paxil, who are under 18, meet with their doctors to see if the side effects of the medications were outweighing the benefits. All this information was mailed to health care professionals and placed on Health Canada's website. When asked if he believed a patient's family should be involved in patient monitoring he replied, `Only if the patient consents.' Berthiaume, who is also a general practitioner in Québec, said where he works the patient's family cannot be involved without the patient's consent and the doctor could actually be sued for breaking this confidentiality. Berthiaume said the number of recorded suicidal events associated with Paxil in Canada is very low. Between 1993, when Paxil was introduced, and 2003, there were only three cases reported to Health Canada of Paxil users under the age of 19 experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in suicidal behaviour. Between July 2003 and December 2004 (after the advisories came out), there were 24 cases reported to Health Canada including five completed suicides associated with Paxil. Between 2005 and 2009, four cases were reported to Health Canada including one completed suicide associated with Paxil. Berthiaume said these statistics are not exactly reliable for a number of reasons -- the first being that only the drug manufacturer is required to report adverse reactions associated with their drug to Health Canada. For health care professionals and patients, such reports are voluntary. Also, if a person on an anti-depressant commits suicide, it is difficult to determine whether they died as a result of the drug or because of the illness the drug was treating, Will said if a doctor is not aware of the link between suicide and Paxil, such a death might also go unreported. When asked how a 17 year old could be placed on a medication not recommended for that age group, Berthiaume said this is a practice called `off label use.' He said `off label use' is a common practice with around 70 per cent of drugs used in the pediatric population being off label. Berthiaume said Health Canada makes recommendations about a drug, but at the end of the day the patient's doctor must use their knowledge of the patient and the drug to determine if `off label use' is appropriate. "If there was no `off label use' what would you do to combat teen depression?" asked Berthiaume. "Just because one patient has an adverse reaction doesn't mean other patients won't benefit. There is always that balance." 6970 Financial Dr., Mississauga 905-567-8172 1455 Dundas St. East, Mississauga 905-206-0092 · Thorough, consistent and reliable home cleaning · 100% satisfaction guaranteed · Regular and occasional service · Spring Cleaning · Gift Certificates e-mail: anderson@mollymaid.ca Mississauga 905-891-9299 6430 Erin Mills Pkwy., Mississauga 905-858-5849 2975 Eglinton Ave. W., 2975Eglington Ave. W., 4555 Hurontario St., Mississauga 905-890-9330 1170 Burmanthorpe 1170 Burnhamthorpe Rd. Mississauga 905-270-1229 1255 The Queensway , Etobicoke 416-251-4100 www.mollymaid.ca Mississauga 905-569-8797 5487 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke 416-236-3158 Contact us today for a free, no-obligation, in-home estimate: All applicable taxes extra. Valid with the purchase of a Quarter or Half Chicken dinner only. Valid in Dining Room only. O er valid on June 20, 2010 only. Valid only at 12 Swiss Chalet locations listed above. Not valid with any other o er. ®Registered T.M. Cara Operations Ltd. (905) 681-7484