What is the news about antidepressants causing teenagers to become suicidal?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked a committee of experts to review earlier studies of antidepressants and they looked at research studies comparing teens who were taking antidepressants and teen who were taking placebos (pills not containing medication). The experts found: • About 2 teens out of 100 showed suicidal thoughts or behavior in the first few months of taking pills without medication. • About 4 teens out of 100 showed suicidal thoughts or behavior in the first few months of taking pills with medication. No teens in these studies died; however, the FDA decided all antidepressants should have a warning about increased chances of suicidal thinking or behavior. As of October 2004, the FDA required the “black box warning” for antidepressant medications and decided to include extra information for parents in all the packages of the medication. The “black box warning” is the strongest the FDA can issue and its purpose is to let doctors know the serious side effects of
