Anti-depression drugs warning for kids

CatoCooper13 · 11-01-2003, 03:08 PM

Children and teenagers who are put on anti-depressants may face an increased risk of suicide, according to warnings by Australian and US authorities.

No antidepressants are currently approved for the treatment of children in Australia but doctors have the discretion to prescribe drugs like Prozac based on their assessment of individual cases.

Concern about the link between the drugs and suicidal tendencies in children and adolescents has been highlighted in a warning to American doctors from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA warning follows a similar alert to Australian doctors from the federal Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Prozac is approved for paediatric depression in the US, but as in Australia, doctors are free to prescribe any approved drug and several are being tested in young patients.

The FDA said while there was no evidence to show most anti-depressants could cause a young person to commit suicide, doctors needed to be vigilant.

"The data do not clearly establish an association between the use of these drugs and increased suicidal thoughts or actions by paediatric patients," the FDA advised.

"Nevertheless, it is not possible at this point to rule out an increase of these adverse events for any of these drugs."

The FDA comments were based on a review of studies on the drugs Aropax, Prozac, citalapram (Celapram, Cipramil), Luvox, Remeron, Serzone, Zoloft and Efexor, all of which are available in Australia.

Clinical and research psychiatrist at the University of NSW, Ian Hickie, said anti-depressants were not widely prescribed to Australian children because they tended not to work on younger people.

He said specialists took evidence about the risk of the drugs in children and teenagers very seriously.

"In clinical trials, now that it's being monitored more closely, it looks like there may be an increase in the proportion of kids reporting suicidal ideation who are on the drugs," he said.

"The FDA is suggesting, as is the TGA, a very cautious approach, and doctors are already well aware of that."

However, it was also a matter of weighing the risks against the benefits, as some children may face an increased risk of suicide without the medication, Prof Hickie said.

©AAP 2003

l0seyaself · 11-15-2003, 08:20 PM

shit...suicide?...why do they bother having them if there is chance of suicide

CatoCooper13 · 11-15-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0seyaself

shit...suicide?...why do they bother having them if there is chance of suicide

That's why I posted it here -- just out of concern for some people who may have kids who are on anti-depressants...but it will only affect a FEW kids, not ALL of them.

***VamPyroX*** · 11-15-2003, 09:49 PM

Most people believe that medicine is another way of curing emotional problems. It shouldn't be done by medicine... only health problems.

Ziusudra · 11-16-2003, 02:36 AM

Hmmmm... I have a friend who was on anti-depressants and she said it actually made her worse... so she eventually got off them and she's doing heaps better now. But it probably only affects a few teenagers. Doctors should be careful with anti-depressants anyway, kids can easily use them to overdose or something.

11-01-2003, 03:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
CatoCooper13 Am attached and in LOVE! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sonoma County, California Posts: 6,418	Anti-depression drugs warning for kids Children and teenagers who are put on anti-depressants may face an increased risk of suicide, according to warnings by Australian and US authorities. No antidepressants are currently approved for the treatment of children in Australia but doctors have the discretion to prescribe drugs like Prozac based on their assessment of individual cases. Concern about the link between the drugs and suicidal tendencies in children and adolescents has been highlighted in a warning to American doctors from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA warning follows a similar alert to Australian doctors from the federal Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Prozac is approved for paediatric depression in the US, but as in Australia, doctors are free to prescribe any approved drug and several are being tested in young patients. The FDA said while there was no evidence to show most anti-depressants could cause a young person to commit suicide, doctors needed to be vigilant. "The data do not clearly establish an association between the use of these drugs and increased suicidal thoughts or actions by paediatric patients," the FDA advised. "Nevertheless, it is not possible at this point to rule out an increase of these adverse events for any of these drugs." The FDA comments were based on a review of studies on the drugs Aropax, Prozac, citalapram (Celapram, Cipramil), Luvox, Remeron, Serzone, Zoloft and Efexor, all of which are available in Australia. Clinical and research psychiatrist at the University of NSW, Ian Hickie, said anti-depressants were not widely prescribed to Australian children because they tended not to work on younger people. He said specialists took evidence about the risk of the drugs in children and teenagers very seriously. "In clinical trials, now that it's being monitored more closely, it looks like there may be an increase in the proportion of kids reporting suicidal ideation who are on the drugs," he said. "The FDA is suggesting, as is the TGA, a very cautious approach, and doctors are already well aware of that." However, it was also a matter of weighing the risks against the benefits, as some children may face an increased risk of suicide without the medication, Prof Hickie said. ©AAP 2003 __________________ Til I hold my bub in my arms.

11-15-2003, 09:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,844	Most people believe that medicine is another way of curing emotional problems. It shouldn't be done by medicine... only health problems. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

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11-15-2003, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
l0seyaself Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 7	shit...suicide?...why do they bother having them if there is chance of suicide

11-16-2003, 02:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ziusudra The Cammy Fighter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 771	Hmmmm... I have a friend who was on anti-depressants and she said it actually made her worse... so she eventually got off them and she's doing heaps better now. But it probably only affects a few teenagers. Doctors should be careful with anti-depressants anyway, kids can easily use them to overdose or something.