WASHINGTON – The
Food and Drug Administration on Friday ordered that all
antidepressants carry "black box" warnings that they "increase the
risk of suicidal thinking and behavior" in children who take them.
Patients and their parents will be given medication guides that
include the warning with each new prescription or refill.
Dr. Lester Crawford, acting FDA commissioner, said the agency
based its decision on the "latest and best science."
"We continue to believe, however, that these drugs provide
significant benefits for pediatric patients when used
appropriately," he told reporters.
| Warning
label
Text of the "black box"
warning that the Food and Drug Administration ordered
included on all antidepressants:
Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal
thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children and
adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and
other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use
of (drug name) or any other antidepressant in a child or
adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical
need. Patients who are started on therapy should be
observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or
unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers
should be advised of the need for close observation and
communication with the prescriber. (Drug name) is not
approved for use in pediatric patients except for
patients with (approved pediatric claim).
Pooled analyses of short-term (four to 16 weeks)
placebo-controlled trials of nine antidepressant drugs
(SSRIs and others) in children and adolescents with MDD,
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other
psychiatric disorders (a total of 24 trials involving
over 4,400 patients) have revealed a greater risk of
adverse events representing suicidal thinking or
behavior (suicidality) during the first few months of
treatment in those receiving antidepressants. The
average risk of such events on drug was 4 percent, twice
the placebo risk of 2 percent. No suicides occurred in
these trials.
On the Net:
FDA: www.fda.gov/cder/drug/
antidepressants/default.htm
| |
"Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and
behavior ... in children and adolescents with major depressive
disorder and other psychiatric disorders," the warning begins. Those
risks must be balanced against clinical need, the label indicates in
a warning surrounded by a black box, hence the "black box"
designation.
The information guide, available within weeks for patients and
their parents, echoes those warnings.
The FDA's action, which follows to the letter a recommendation of
its advisers, was driven by data that showed that on average, 2
percent to 3 percent of children taking antidepressants have
increased suicidal thoughts and actions. Independent experts,
working with Columbia University, based the finding on a review of
data from 24 trials that involved more than 4,400 patients taking
antidepressants. They found a greater risk during the first few
months of treatment.
Crawford said suicides among youths decreased by 25 percent in
the last decade, as antidepressant prescriptions to children soared.
Children aged 1 to 17 now account for 7 percent of all
antidepressant prescriptions.
The American Psychiatric Association expressed concern that the
agency's actions may lead to fewer antidepressant prescriptions for
patients most in need. "This would put seriously ill patients at
grave risk," the association said in a statement.
Eli Lilly and Co., which manufactures Prozac, the only
antidepressant found to be safe and effective for children, echoed
the APA's concerns.
"Lilly supports the recent FDA efforts," the company said.
However, a "black box warning on antidepressants may have a
dangerous effect on appropriate prescribing for patients who
urgently need proven treatment options."
The FDA said that concern was raised during advisory committee
meetings and in its internal discussions. Still, the black box is
the best way to ensure patients and doctors discuss the risks and
benefits of the drugs.
"We felt that it's one of the most important tools we have to get
the message out to people that these drugs shouldn't be used
casually," said Dr. Sandra Kweder, acting director of the FDA's
Office of New Drugs.
Other drug manufacturers endorsed the FDA's action.
"We agree with the FDA that providing additional information to
everyone – from health care professionals to parents and patients –
is one of the most positive steps that can be taken to advance the
diagnoses and treatment of adolescents with depression," said Mary
Anne Rhyne, a GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman.
Glaxo, the maker of Paxil, settled a lawsuit filed by New York's
attorney general by releasing summaries of all its clinical trials.
The lawsuit accused the company of not disclosing fully negative
information about Paxil's safety record.
The FDA said parents and physicians will be advised to look for
warning signs in children that include worsening depression,
agitation, irritability and unusual changes in behavior. Those
worrisome signs could come within the first months of starting an
antidepressant or if the drug's dosage is changed, higher or lower.
Doctors and families are asked to have at least weekly,
face-to-face contact with a child taking an antidepressant during
the first four weeks of treatment. Biweekly visits would occur for
eight more weeks and, as needed, after week 12.
The warning notice says caregivers and physicians should be
equally as vigilant with adults who take antidepressants.
Kathleen Bodnar, a grieving mother, expressed the fear that the
warning information will go to people receiving the drug but not
necessarily to families or others who might best monitor behavior.
"If my daughter were living with me, I could be watching her
every single day and notice the difference," said Bodnar, whose
21-year-old daughter, Liz Torlakson, killed herself two days after
restarting an antidepressant that had been stopped because she had
the flu. "If the doctor waits, even once a week, it's not going to
be often enough."
Because the FDA chose its most strident alert, the warning must
be included in advertising. That means a trend that startled federal
advisers – free samples of antidepressants given to treat other
medical conditions – also must carry warnings.
"These medications were being used outside their indications by
physicians who sometimes distributed samples to the families," said
Dr. Laurence Greenhill, a pediatric psychiatrist in New York. "In
this case, advertising sampling always will have the black box
warning on it."
The new warnings will be carried by all antidepressants,
including Anafranil, Aventyl, Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor,
Elavil, Lexapro, Ludiomil, Luvox, Marplan, Nardil, Norpramin,
Pamelor, Parnate, Paxil, Pexeva, Prozac, Remeron, Sarafem, Serzone,
Sinequan, Surmontil, Symbyax, Tofranil, Tofranil-PM, Triavil,
Vivactil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Zyban.
