Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

FDA Warning - Child Anti-Depressant Use

Today it was announced by the Food and Drug Administration that all antidepressants must carry a "black box" warning, the government's strongest safety alert, linking the drugs to increased suicidal thoughts and behavior among children and teens taking them.

Because the warnings are primarily seen by doctors, the agency also is creating an information guide for patients to advise them of the risk.

"Today's actions represent FDA's conclusions about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and the necessary actions for physicians prescribing these antidepressant drugs and for the children and adolescents taking them," said Dr. Lester Crawford, acting FDA commissioner.

The drug labels also include details of pediatric studies which (to date) have pointed to Prozac as the safest antidepressant for youths to take.

Approximately 2 percent to 3 percent of children taking antidepressants have increased suicidal thoughts, independent experts, working with Columbia University, found.