Health
SSRI talking points issued by AACAP
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 22, 2004
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry advised its 7,400 members to continue to treat depressed children and adolescents with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants either alone or with psychotherapy and accompanied by proper treatment management and monitoring.
Last month the Food and Drug Administration directed manufacturers of antidepressants to add black box warnings to the drugs' labels to reflect a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and actions by children and teens who take them.
In a letter e-mailed to its members, the AACAP expressed concern that the black box warning may keep depressed patients from seeking treatment and cause physicians to avoid treating depressed children and adolescents because of fears of potential lawsuits.
Pediatric depression is a real illness with neurobiological underpinnings. Although antidepressant treatment carries risks, untreated depression has potentially greater risks, and treatment is effective, especially when started early, according to the AACAP.
The letter is accompanied by a set of talking points that explain the research findings and other documents designed to improve treatment planning and the monitoring of patients.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/11/22/hlbf1122.htm.
