FDA Proposes Expanded Suicide Warning for Antidepressants for Young Adults

Article in the New York Times -- FDA Seeks Antidepressant Warning, by the Associated Press.  Here's an excerpt:

Young adults beginning treatment with antidepressants should be warned about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, federal health officials said Wednesday.

The Food and Drug Administration proposed labeling changes that would expand a warning now on all antidepressants. The current language applies only to children and adolescents. The expanded warning would apply to adults 18-24 during the first month or two of treatment with the drugs, the FDA said.

The proposed labeling changes also would note that studies have not shown this increased risk in adults older than 24, and that adults 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, it said.

The proposed expanded warnings emphasize that depression and certain other serious psychiatric disorders are themselves the most important causes of suicide.

Here's a link to the related article in the Wall Street Journal -- FDA Asks Antidepressant Makers To Warn Adults About Suicide Risks, by Jennifer Corbett Dooren.

BGS