Thursday, December 11, 2003

British Warning on Antidepressant Use for Youth
New York Times story - "British drug regulators yesterday recommended against the use of all but one of a new generation of antidepressants in the treatment of depressed children under 18. In a letter sent to doctors and other health professionals, the government regulators said a review of data on the safety and effectiveness of the drugs, known as S.S.R.I.'s, indicated that their benefits did not outweigh their potential risks. Their effectiveness in treating depression in children, they said, has not been sufficiently demonstrated, and some drugs have been linked with suicidal thoughts and self-harm in children and adolescents." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free]. See also the related item posted here yesterday and the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency web site, where you'll find links to a number of related articles, including the message sent to health professionals and a leaflet for patients (Adobe Acrobat format) and the full Overview of regulatory status and CSM advice relating to MDD in children and adolescents.