Antidepressants may double risk of suicide and aggression in children, study finds
BMJ 2016; 352 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i545 (Published 28 January 2016) Cite this as: BMJ 2016;352:i545- Jacqui Wise
- 1London
Doctors should avoid prescribing antidepressants to children and teenagers wherever possible because they are associated with a doubling in the risk of aggression and suicide, Danish researchers have concluded in The BMJ.1 They recommend considering alternative treatments such as exercise or psychotherapy.
The researchers carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of 70 trials with 18 526 patients. The trials examined the use of five of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants: duloxetine; fluoxetine; paroxetine; sertraline, and venlafaxine.
They included in their study only double blind placebo …
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