Researchers now claim that dosing children with antidepressants are in fact, not dangerous.
These studies had in fact resulted in the FDA ordered ‘black box’ warnings put on the antidepressants. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh say the risk they found is lower than the one the FDA identified earlier. The agency warned the public about the drugs’ risks in young patients.
Researchers mentioned in their report that having analyzed data on 5,310 children and teenagers from 27 studies, they have found that for every 100 kids treated with antidepressants, only about one additional child tends to suffer from suicidal tendencies.
It has also been seen that in the study of antidepressants including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, Serzone and Remeron, there were no suicides reported.
Dr. David Brent of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine says-
The medications are safe and effective and should be considered as an important part of treatment. The benefits seem favorable compared to the small risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Experts highly recommend the use of antidepressants to treat anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and depression. The authors of the study say the medications are safe and effective and should be considered an important part of treatment.
Still, it is advised that doctors must keep an eye on their patients who are on antidepressants.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
It appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Via : Washingtonpost.com
