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Do Paxil Side Effects Include a Risk of Breast Cancer?

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Boston, MANew research suggests that scientists should examine the possibility that Paxil side effects could include a risk of breast cancer. The research, which examined the risks associated with antidepressants, suggested a link between the use of certain antidepressants and breast and ovarian cancer. Previous research suggests that Paxil side effects include a risk of Paxil birth defects.

The new research involved a review of 61 studies, and suggests a link between the use of antidepressant drugs and breast and ovarian cancer. According to the research, the risk of cancer increased an average of 11 percent for patients who took antidepressants. Furthermore, the link was stronger in patients who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressant that includes Paxil.

Of 16 studies that examined SSRIs, 15 found a higher risk of cancer, leading researchers to conclude that further research should be done on the use of SSRIs in women and the possible association with cancer.

One of the studies included in the review was published in 2000, and found that women taking Paxil faced a sevenfold increase in the risk of breast cancer when compared to women who used no antidepressants.

Furthermore, researchers involved in the review, published in PLoS ONE (plosone.org; 04/06/11), found that of the 15 cases where the lead researcher had a connection to an antidepressant drugmaker, not one found a link between the antidepressant and cancer. Of the 46 studies that did not indicate a connection between the lead researcher and a pharmaceutical company, 43 percent found an increased risk of cancer.

In total, 20 of the 61 studies included in the review suggested a link between antidepressant use and cancer.

"Both the pre-clinical and clinical data are mixed in terms of showing an association between AD [antidepressant] use and breast and ovarian cancer," researchers concluded. "The possibility that Ads may exhibit a biphasic effect, whereby short-term use and/or low dose antidepressants may increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, warrants further investigation."

Meanwhile, a study conducted by GlaxoSmithKline concluded that Paxil might be linked to an increased risk of suicidal behavior, although the rate of suicidal attempts was considered low, at 0.34 percent. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I was on paxil for 13 yrs. and at some point, I got worse my Dr. tried upping the dosage so i was 60 mg. daily. On the 60 mg. I felt hopeless, lost all interest in things and jus wanted to sleep all the time plus Paxil gave me horrific nightmares. now this thing with breast cancer, I am already at high risk, Mother died ovarian cance which is linked with breast cancer and know this. I have talked to lawyers and they told me basically come back if u get breast cancer. I am not looking to get rich but i lost about 8 yrs, of my life because of the paxil. I was afreaid to go off because of all the stories of severe withdrawls, not being able to get off at all or suicide. I have just been weened off the Paxil very slowely still had withdrawls esp. in begining I would like to know if I have any case whatsoever for pain and suffering of depression for all those yrs I can never get back and the increased risk not of breast cancer. Or is it if i get breast cancer and die then my husband can sue. this all seems so unfair. Is there anything I can do. Thank you

Posted by

on
According to my daughter's medical records, she was on Paxil from Dec 1999 through December 2000. She was on a dose of 20, alternating with 10 on occasion.

In 2013 she was diagnosed with breast cancer after she found a massive lump. She's had a double mastectomy and survived chemo, and is now on a drug for the next 3 years.

Since there was no family history, we were shocked, and always wondered why her.

Please advise if there is anything we should do.

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