After the previous battles over placing warnings for increased suicide risk on antidepressant medications in younger children have ended, a new front has opened up: placing a suicide risk warning for young adults on the same medications. The FDA has proposed the changes based on research that has shown some segment of young adults beginning the medications having an increase in suicidal thoughts and behavior.

“Antidepressant medications benefit many patients, but it is important that doctors and patients are aware of the risks,” said Dr. Steven Galson, the FDA’s drugs chief.

The proposed changes came with the endorsement of FDA expert advisers. Some experts have argued that the changes are overdue while others maintain they could keep drugs from those who need them.

I always support any measures that will be more informative for consumers of these medications, and this seems like a reasonable step to take.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 2 May 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.