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irregularities and hormonal imbalances—have been all but ignored by doctors. Why not just use a quick fix to shut the whole system down? Take a pill! Haven't we been here before? Reminiscent of recent HRT revelations, the mass prescribing of the continuous low dose Pill—without any long-term studies undertaken—amounts to a dangerous experiment being con- ducted on young women. However, it would be pointless to spend millions of dollars on such a study, since there already exists overwhelming evidence of how seriously the Pill compro- mises the health of young women. just so happened to coincide with the year that the patent on Prozac ran out. Without a patent on Prozac, Eli Lilly lost exclu- sive rights to the drug, along with hundreds of millions of dol- lars in profits. However, with the acceptance of the Prozac clone Sarafem as the only approved treatment for PMDD, Lilly's patent on Prozac in effect was extended by another seven years. According to documents posted on the FDA's website, Lilly has proposed a "pilot study of PMDD in adolescents to estimate its response to treatment with fluoxetine". So, who wins? The OB-GYNs, whom Eli Lilly is exclusive- ly targeting as prescribers—and, of course, Eli Lilly. Who loses? Young women. And now, two other drugs have recently been approved to treat PMDD. They are the antidepressant drugs Zoloft and Paxil. With these two additional players in the PMDD market, expect to see many more TV and magazine ads aggressively educating the public about "this serious new condition". Women, once again, are being manipulated, misinformed and mistreated in order to fill the drug companies' coffers. But there is an even more draconian side to this. Inventing a New Disorder loses? Young women. Unfortunately, it's not only the obsolescence of menstrual And now, two other drugs have recently been approved to cycles that the drug companies have on their agenda. There is treat PMDD. They are the antidepressant drugs Zoloft and another way that young women are being pathologised and Paxil. With these two additional players in the PMDD market, medicalised for their natural cycles. expect to see many more TV and magazine ads aggressively The pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is promoting its new drug, educating the public about "this serious new condition". Sarafem, as a miracle pill for women suffering with a new Women, once again, are being manipulated, misinformed and "mental disorder" called premenstrual dysphoric disorder mistreated in order to fill the drug companies' coffers. But there (PMDD). is an even more draconian side to this. Never heard of it? It's no surprise, since it was only concoct- ed as a psychiatric disorder about three years ago. A Strong Warning about Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft PMDD, this "mental disorder" which the American Researchers at the Division of Preventive Oncology in Psychiatric Association (APA) has Toronto, Canada, reported the pro- not yet accepted as an official men- motion of malignant growth in tal disorder, is nonetheless listed in rodents given antidepressant drugs at the appendix of the APA's clinically relevant doses. These Diagnostic and Statistical Manual drugs bind to growth-regulating of Mental Disorders—the DSM-IV, Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil possess receptors inside cells associated with the bible of mental diseases. another trait: they have the anti-oestrogen binding sites. When PMDD is actually the new and ability to turn normal people they were given to rats primed with a improved version of premenstrual known carcinogen, the animals syndrome (PMS), which is purport- into raging suicidal murderers. developed breast tumours in a short- ed to affect 3-10% of all menstruat- ened time. Compared to controls, ing women. The fact that PMDD is the tumour frequency was increased listed only in the diagnostic manu- greater than twofold in the rats given al's appendix reflects the APA's the antidepressants."” desire for further research before The Canadian research team also accepting it as a fully fledged mental disorder. Nonetheless, it | found that women who took Paxil saw their risk of breast cancer is being treated vigorously. increase sevenfold!'* To be diagnosed with PMDD, a woman must experience five Further studies have shown that Prozac not only promotes or more symptoms. This unofficial mental disorder is said to be — tumours but also causes proliferation of malignant cells by characterised by the following symptoms: depressed mood; blocking the body's innate ability to kill tumour cells. There is anxiety; decreased interest in activities; feeling sad, hopeless, mounting evidence that these drugs can cause breast cancer and self-deprecating, tense, anxious or "on edge"; persistent irri- other forms of cancer such as brain cancer." tability; anger; increased interpersonal conflicts; feeling Allan Steingart, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the fatigued, lethargic or lacking in energy; marked changes in University of Toronto, has also sent out another warning: appetite; a subjective feeling of being overwhelmed or out of SSRIs are endocrine disrupters that can alter oestrogen levels. control; and physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, Side effects include changes in breast density, lactation in swelling or bloating. Before the PMDD diagnosis can be given, women who are not pregnant, and sexual dysfunction.” a woman is advised to chart her symptoms for two months. There are also ominous long-term side effects associated with Lilly reports in its advertising that, now, "Doctors can treat these medications. According to Dr Joseph Glenmullen, a psy- PMDD with a pretty pink-and-lavender pill called Sarafem—the chiatrist who works for Harvard University Health Services and first and only prescription medication for PMDD". The ad fur- is the author of Prozac Backlash, they include: neurological ther states that "Sarafem contains fluoxetine hydrochloride, the disorders such as disfiguring facial and whole-body tics that can same active ingredient found in Prozac".'® indicate brain damage; sexual dysfunction in up to 60% of Actually, Sarafem is the Selective Serotonin Reuptake users; debilitating withdrawal symptoms including visual hallu- Inhibitor (SSRI) known as Prozac. Eli Lilly admits that cinations; electric shock-like sensations in the brain; and dizzi- Sarafem has the same active ingredient as Prozac, complete ness, nausea and anxiety.”' with the same dangerous side effects. It's been dressed up in a The SSRIs—Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil—possess another trait: pretty pink-and-lavender capsule, and the price has been they have the ability to turn normal people into raging suicidal increased. It is now masquerading as a bona fide PMDD drug. murderers. Three years before Prozac received FDA approval It is no coincidence that the year that Sarafem was listed as Continued on page 74 the only approved drug for this new female "mental disorder", it Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil possess another trait: they have the -biita la a. a ability to turn normal people into raging suicidal murderers. 20 = NEXUS Continued on page 74 www.nexusmagazi ne.com FEBRUARY — MARCH 2003