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Archived – Important Drug Safety Information for ZOLOFT: Warning for SSRIs and Other Newer Anti-Depressants Regarding the Potential for Behavioural and Emotional Changes, Including Risk of Self-Harm
- Starting date:
- May 26, 2004
- Posting date:
- June 2, 2004
- Type of communication:
- Dear Healthcare Professional Letter
- Subcategory:
- Drugs
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Important Safety Information
- Audience:
- Healthcare Professionals
- Identification number:
- RA-17000900
This is duplicated text of a letter from Pfizer Canada Inc.
Contact the company for a copy of any references, attachments or enclosures.
Notice about Health Canada advisories
Health Canada Endorsed Important Safety Information on ZOLOFT (sertraline hydrochloride)
May 26, 2004
Subject: Stronger WARNING for SSRIs and other newer antidepressants regarding the potential for behavioural and emotional changes, including risk of self-harm
Dear Health Care Professional,
Pfizer Canada Inc., following discussions with Health Canada, would like to inform you of important safety information regarding the possibility that SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and other newer antidepressants may be associated with behavioural and emotional changes, including risk of self-harm.
The new Class warning incorporated in the Product Monograph of ZOLOFT* (sertraline hydrochloride) capsules is provided below.
Potential association with the occurrence of behavioural and emotional changes, including self-harm
Pediatrics: Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Data
- Recent analyses of placebo-controlled clinical trial safety databases from SSRIs and other newer antidepressants suggest that use of these drugs in patients under the age of 18 may be associated with behavioural and emotional changes, including an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour over that of placebo.
- The small denominators in the clinical trial database, as well as the variability in placebo rates, preclude reliable conclusions on the relative safety profiles among these drugs.
Adult and Pediatrics: Additional data
- There are clinical trial and post-marketing reports with SSRIs and other newer antidepressants, in both pediatrics and adults, of severe agitation-type adverse events coupled with self-harm or harm to others. The agitation-type events include: akathisia, agitation, disinhibition, emotional lability, hostility, aggression, depersonalization. In some cases, the events occurred within several weeks of starting treatment.
Rigorous clinical monitoring for suicidal ideation or other indicators of potential for suicidal behavior is advised in patients of all ages. This includes monitoring for agitation-type emotional and behavioural changes.
Discontinuation Symptoms
Patients currently taking sertraline hydrochloride should NOT be discontinued abruptly, due to risk of discontinuation symptoms. At the time that a medical decision is made to discontinue an SSRI or other newer antidepressant drug, a gradual reduction in the dose rather than an abrupt cessation is recommended.
It should be noted that a causal role for SSRIs and other newer antidepressants in inducing self-harm or harm to others has not been established. The possibility of a suicide attempt is inherent in depression and other psychiatric disorders, and may persist until remission occurs. Therefore, high-risk patients should be closely supervised throughout therapy with appropriate consideration to the possible need for hospitalization. The updated warning informs practitioners that all patients being treated with SSRIs and other newer antidepressants should be rigorously monitored for clinical worsening, or onset/ worsening of agitation-type adverse events, or other indicators of potential for suicidal behaviour.
Sertraline hydrochloride is not indicated for use in the pediatric population.
New Information Added to the Consumer Information Section
The Consumer Information Section of the Product Monograph has been updated to reflect this new Class warning, and to advise patients that treatment with SSRIs and other newer antidepressants is most safe and effective when there is good communication with the treating physician about how the patient is feeling.
Background
In February 2004, a scientific advisory panel set up by Health Canada was asked to provide the clinical practice perspective on the pediatric clinical trial safety data, and the spontaneous post-marketing reports for SSRIs and other newer antidepressants. The panel agreed that a contraindication was not warranted for these medications, and supported Health Canada's recommendation for stronger warnings, while providing suggestions and comments. The record of proceedings, and other information about the panel, can be found on Health Canada's website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/activit/sci-consult/serotonin/sapssri_rop_gcsisrs_crd_2004-02-20-eng.php.
Pfizer Canada Inc. continues to work closely with Health Canada to monitor adverse event reporting and to ensure that up-to-date information regarding the use of ZOLOFT (sertraline hydrochloride) is available.
The identification, characterization and management of drug-related adverse events are dependent on the active participation of healthcare professionals in adverse drug reaction reporting programs. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions in patients receiving ZOLOFT (sertraline hydrochloride) directly to Pfizer Canada Inc. or Health Canada at the following addresses:
Pfizer Canada Inc.
Medical Information
P.O. Box 800
Pointe-Claire, Quebec
H9R 4V2
1 800 463-6001
Any suspected adverse reaction can also be reported to:
Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP)
Marketed Health Products Directorate
HEALTH CANADA
Address Locator: 0701C
OTTAWA, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Tel: (613) 957-0337 or Fax: (613) 957-0335
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Tel: 866 234-2345
Fax: 866 678-6789
cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
For other inquiries: please refer to contact information.
The AR Reporting Form and the AR Guidelines can be found on the Health Canada web site or in The Canadian Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties.
Your professional commitment in this regard has an important role in protecting the well-being of your patients by contributing to early signal detection and informed drug use.
Any questions from healthcare professionals may be directed to the Pfizer Medical Information Group at Tel: 1 800 463-6001.
Sincerely,
original signed by
Bernard Prigent, M.D.
Vice President & Medical Director
Pfizer Canada Inc.
*Trademark Pfizer Inc.
Pfizer Canada Inc. Licensee