Suicide Labels May Cut Antidepressant Use

Study: "Black Box" Warnings Reached Their Target Group Of Children, Teens

(WebMD)  Warnings about suicide risk in youths taking antidepressants have affected the use of those drugs .

New research shows that antidepressant use by kids and teens fell nearly 10 percent annually after the drugs got a "black box" warning -- the FDA's sternest warning -- about youth suicide risk.

That news is based on data from Medco, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S. The data included more than 2 million people.

The researchers analyzed antidepressant use by children aged 6-17 and adults before, during, and after FDA warnings on antidepressants and youth suicide risk came out in 2003 and 2004.

From May 1, 2002 to June 19, 2003 -- before any warnings were put in place -- antidepressant use by youths rose by 36 percent.

On June 19, 2003, the FDA recommended that the antidepressant Paxil not be used to treat depressed children and teens. From then until October 2004 youth Paxil use dropped by 44 percent and youth use of all antidepressants dipped by about 1 percent per year.

In October 2004, the FDA established its black box warning about suicide risk in youths taking any antidepressant. That warning also noted that children and adults taking antidepressants should be watched closely for increased suicidal thinking and behavior, note the researchers.

From October 2004 until the end of 2005, youth antidepressant use dropped by about 10 percent per year.

The trends throughout the study were stronger in kids and teens than in adults.

"It is reassuring that the pattern of changes in treatment, which were modest in size and greatest for treatment of youth, were broadly consistent with the FDA warnings and the scientific literature," write the researchers.

They included Mark Olfson, MD, MPH, of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University.

The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, doesn't cover antidepressant use following the FDA's May 2007 recommendation to update the drugs' black box labels to include young adults aged 18-24.

[thespyshop-2009]

I''ve been on antidepressants for over 10 years, and owe my life to them. However, I was 40 when I began the treatment. The issue has nothing to do with legalizing pot or a corrupt government. The issue is: With every drug - antidepressants included, there are side-effects. Some are worth the benefits obtained, some are not. Continuing research will lead to appropriate meds. And I agree - age shouldn''t be the most important part of the research.

[tmkgls]

I''m 48 years old and have been on anti-depressants for over 10 years. I can see why some, especially Paxil, can cause a higher rate of suicide. It worked great for me except the dreams where like the worst horror movies you''ve ever seen - some worse than that. Paxil also caused a rise in self-mutilation. So - though one may be less depressed, the horrible side-effects aren''t worth it. Paxil should be removed from the market for everyone. Also, while on Paxil I tried two suicide attempts - thank God they didn''t work. The government is targeting their studies on teens and young adults. Well - the same things also happen to older adults. Maybe the main difference is that the older you are the easier it is for us to differentiate dreams from reality for the most part. There are times, though, that I am unable to know if something that happened was a dream or really did happen. (I''m on Lexapro now so at least their not bloody and horror-filled.) Just imagine, though, what can happen when children who have less ability to separate dreams from reality have dreams that are filled with blood and horror. The studies being done MUST include all ages as age has nothing to do with the side-effect of thoughts of or tries of suicide.

[rushman71]

It just makes me wonder. Why would they sell a drug that causes people to kill themselves, but outlaws a "drug" that gives you the munchies and causes you to fall asleep. HMMMMMM.......
Legalize Marijuana!!! For a better, peaceful America!!!

[rushman71]

This is a good example of how corrupt our government is. They want you to buy their drugs. They know the harm that these drugs may cause. They even know, and now want you to know, that these drugs can bring suicidal urges. But they want you to think that cannabis is bad, it is bad for you, makes you want to do other drugs, causes violence, etc.--eventhough everyone knows that all that info is BS.
Legalize Marijuana!!! For a better, peaceful America!!!

[aheadofcrowd]

Didn''t Tom Cruise say something about the side effects of antidepressants? He must be psychic to know that these drugs caused something like this. Or maybe he just reads.


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