BMJ on Antidepressants and Kids

Tomorrow's British Medical Journal (April 10th edition) has a stinging editorial condemning the widespread use of antidepressants in children. The issue contained a review of seven randomized controlled trials that found the reported results were often misleading by downplaying serious side effects and overstating benefits. Moreover the study asserted that pharmaceutical companies, which funded at least three of the four major trials in the study, may have failed to disclose increased suicidal activity related to the use of these drugs. Conclusion: Biased reporting and overconfident recommendations may be misleading doctors, patients, and families.

On February 2, the Center for Science in the Public Interest released its own report on the biased record on antidepressant use in children. Click here to read "SSRI Use in Children: An Industry-Biased Record."