Jannie
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 Posted: 04/18/07 - 16:40 Post subject: Study shows that antidepressants are safe for kids and teens |
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Results from the largest review of its kind show that the benefits of antidepressants for children and teenagers outweigh the small risk of possible suicidal thoughts or actions.
Researchers reviewed data on 5,310 children and teenagers from 27 studies, including Food and Drug Administration reviews from 2004 that led to a warning about prescribing antidepressants for children and teens.
The analysis found that for every 100 youths treated with the antidepressants Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, Serzone or Remeron, about one more child experienced worsening suicidal feelings above what would have happened without the drugs. The FDA analysis put the risk at about two in 100. No suicides were reported in any of the studies reviewed.
The analysis also showed that antidepressants worked best for anxiety and moderately well for obsessive-compulsive disorders. They worked less well, but were still effective, in treating depression.
The researchers reported that the benefits seem favorable compared to the small risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. |
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