List of Top Prescription Drugs Linked to Brain-Related Side Effects Released by AdverseEvents, Inc.

HEALDSBURG, CA--(Marketwire -03/12/12)- In recognition of Brain Awareness Week, AdverseEvents, Inc., the leading resource for information on drug side effects, has released a report identifying FDA approved medications that are most associated with causing brain-related side effects. Brain Awareness Week is March 12-18, 2012.

AdverseEvents, Inc. conducted a survey of marketed drugs suspected of causing brain-related side effects in recognition of Brain Awareness Week, March 12-18, 2012. AdverseEvents used RxFilter, its proprietary data aggregation and refinement process, to gather data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database. The Company found over fifty thousand (50,000) individual adverse event case reports linked to common brain-related side effect categories: memory loss (amnesia), inhibition of libido, and compulsive behaviors (such as uncontrolled gambling, compulsive hoarding, binge eating, hair pulling or nail biting).

The top drug linked to memory loss (amnesia) side effects was Ambien CR (an insomnia medication). Others in the top 25 included Neurontin, Lyrica, and Topomax (medicines used for epilepsy, pain and bipolar disorder), Xyrem (narcolepsy medicine), Tysabri and Avonex (multiple sclerosis treatments), Lipitor (a cholesterol medicine), Xanax and Klonopin (anxiolytics), Chantix (smoking cessation) and Detrol (incontinence medicine). Among the statins, Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor, and Pravachol all had elevated signals for reports of memory loss with over 900 such cases for Lipitor alone since 2004.

The top drug linked to inhibition of libido side effects was Propecia (a hair loss medication that is also used to treat prostate enlargement). Four other drugs used to treat prostate problems (Jalyn, Proscar, Avodart and Lupron) also made the list. Other drugs in the top 25 included commonly used antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor, Pristiq, Lexapro and Celexa, and the birth control medicine Beyaz.

The top drug linked to compulsive behavior side effects was Mirapex (a Parkinson's medication). Another medicine used for Parkinson's disease (Requip) also made the list.

See the appendix below for the top ten drugs in each category.

P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., a professor and leading neuropsychiatric drug safety researcher at Duke University Medical Center, commented, "This is a very timely and insightful report. While the warning signals in this report don't necessarily prove a causal relationship, they are often the first sign of such a link. Therefore, it is critical for consumers and prescribers to be aware of such potentially adverse effects. Some of these side effects, such as loss of libido or amnesia, can have a devastating impact on a person's quality of life."

Dr Doraiswamy cautioned, "The numbers are still preliminary since most adverse reactions are not reported to the FDA and we don't know exactly how many people have actually received these drugs." He added, "The intent of this report is not to deny the benefits of these drugs, but to provide the information needed to help consumers and doctors avoid unnecessary harm. No single doctor can keep up with all the adverse effects of the thousands of drugs, and modern data analytic techniques can supplement traditional clinical trials. This is going to be a high priority for future research."

As is the case for any information regarding side effects and adverse events, patients should never discontinue, or alter in any way, the drugs or dosages prescribed by their physician until after consultation with their doctor. Patients should discuss these findings directly with their doctors before making any changes whatsoever to their medicines or prescribed medication regimen.

Brian Overstreet, president of AdverseEvents said, "The AERS database is a significant repository of important and potentially life-saving information. And while the data does have limitations, the ability to easily and quickly mine this plethora of data using our proprietary RxFilter provides a significant step forward to a better understanding of real-world side-effect risks, the enabling of more accurate safety signaling, and the propelling of further clinical evaluation of potential problems."

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List of Top Prescription Drugs Linked to Brain-Related Side Effects Released by AdverseEvents, Inc.