LETTERS

to the Editor

PAROXETINE APPROVAL

We would like to thank Diane S. Aschenbrenner for her detailed discussion of the unexpected FDA approval of paroxetine as the first nonhormonal drug treatment for postmenopausal hot flashes (Drug Watch, October 2013). This is good news, as there’s an overwhelming need for safe and effective nonhormonal therapies. Yet, a large subgroup of women likely to experience hot flashes—those taking tamoxifen for the prevention or treatment of breast cancer— won’t be able to take ­advantage of this new treatment option. Paroxetine is not recommended in individuals taking tamoxifen because it interferes with the activation of tamoxifen’s active agent. When used concomitantly with tamoxifen, paroxetine has been associated with an increase in breast cancer–related deaths.1 Paroxetine’s label contains a warning that its

use may reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen, and current oncology guidelines advise caution when coadministering these drugs.2 Suzanne M. Mahon, DNSc, RN, AOCN, APNG St. Louis Marcelle Kaplan, MS, RN, AOCN, CBCN Merrick, NY

REFERENCES 1. Kelly CM, et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and breast cancer mortality in women receiving tamoxifen: a population based cohort study. BMJ 2010;340:c693. 2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: breast cancer version 3.2013. Fort Washington, PA; 2013.

TRANSGENDER CHILDREN

It’s unacceptable that approximately 50% of transgender adults who were rejected by their families have tried to commit suicide,

2013

AJN ▼ January 2014



Vol. 114, No. 1

Christine Doherty, RN Plymouth, MA

REFERENCE 1. Ward SF. For young people, transgender life means stress and confusion over restrooms, sports and harassment. ABA J 2013 Oct. ▼

— A Very Good Year for AJN

As we review the events of the past year, we want to share some of our accomplishments. The AJN editorial team takes great pride in the stewardship of nursing’s legacy journal and great pains to follow high standards of journalism and publishing excellence. We’re pleased that our efforts were recognized with several awards this year: • Award of Excellence, Feature Writing: “Men in Nursing,” January 2013 (Awards for Publication Excellence). • Clarion Award, Feature Article: “Celiac ­Disease: A Medical Puzzle,” October 2012 (Association for Women in Communications). • Clarion Award, Regular Editorial/Opinion Column: “Politicizing Women’s Choices— Again,” June 2012; “The Hidden Wounds of War,” November 2012; “Developing a 10

as reported in “Helping Transgender Children and Teens” (AJN Reports, October 2013). The article also mentions a groundbreaking law in California that went into effect on January 1, which allows transgender individuals to decide which sports programs to enroll in and which restrooms or locker rooms to use based on their gender identification versus their biological sex. Some parents have argued that exposing children to members of the opposite biological sex in these places is inappropriate, but a recent article points out that most youths aren’t nearly as concerned about this as their parents.1

Global Awareness,” December 2012 (Association for Women in Communications). • Silver Award, Best Cover: Illustration, October 2012 (American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors [ASHPE]). • Silver Award, Best Blog: Off the Charts: “Grief: The Proposed DSM-5 Gets It Wrong,” March 2012; “The Cruel Irony of Alzheimer’s Disease,” February 2012; “Forward or Back? Some Personal Notes on Why the Affordable Care Act Matters,” June 2012 (ASHPE). • Finalist for FOLIO gold awards for Full Issue (October 2013) and Feature Article (“Outcomes and Complications After Bariatric Surgery,” September 2012) (Eddie and Ozzie Awards). • Chosen as one of a “primary set of materials to preserve in print format” by the National Library of Medicine’s print preservation program, MedPrint.

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