It's right there on the bottle for antidepressants prescribed for teens: A warning that the medication may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. The FDA has expanded that warning to young adults ages 18 to 24. But why would mood-enhancing drugs make some teens think of suicide?
The FDA is urging patients to keep the warning in perspective. Experts say there are no reports of anyone killing themselves because of an antidepressant. What's more, the warning only applies to those who are just starting the medication.
Many doctors agree that the drugs do far more good than harm, but do advise teens to be in therapy for at least a short time while they start a new antidepressant. Also, the odds are in the patient's favor: antidepressants only increase the risk that young people will have suicidal thoughts by around two percent.
The Real Deal on Antidepressant Warning Labels
July 8, 2010
Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT
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