Antidepressants and Suicide Risk: how did Specific Information in FDA Safety Warnings Affect Treatment Patterns?

This study found the timing of the American Food & Drug Administration recommendations was associated with trends in the use of paroxetine & fluoxetine by children with major depressive disorder who were initiating antidepressant treatment. However, no evidence of increases in outpatient visits (indicative of monitoring) among depressed children initiating antidepressant use was found. Release of specific risk & benefit information by the Food & Drug Administration was associated with changes in prescribing but not in outpatient follow-up. Although public health safety warnings were associated with changes in some pratice patterns, not all recommendations conveyed in warnings were followed. (20 refs.)