Health
Suicidality warning for young adults added to antidepressant label
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 21, 2007
The Food and Drug Administration is calling for language to be added to the black-box warning on antidepressants, cautioning about the possibility of suicidal thinking and behavior among those 18 to 24 during the first few months of treatment.
"Antidepressant medications benefit many patients, but it is important that doctors and patients are aware of the risks," said Steven Galson, MD, MPH, director of the agency's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
This change is the latest move by the agency in response to concerns about a possible link between suicide and these medications. Similar labeling changes were made in 2005 that focused on children and adolescents.
The new labeling also will state that an increased risk of suicidality was not found in those older than 24 and that it is decreased among those older than 65. It will add that untreated depression can lead to suicide.
The American Psychiatric Assn. welcomed these changes because previous versions of the black-box label had been blamed on inappropriately decreasing the use of these drugs.
"We believe the new label, which still contains important warning information, reminds physicians and patients that antidepressants save lives," said APA President-elect Carolyn Robinowitz, MD.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/05/21/hlbf0521.htm.
