A new study indicates that most antidepressants on the market are ineffective for children and teens with major depressive disorder and some may even be unsafe for young patients.
Andrea Cipriani, MD, was the lead author of the study at the University of Oxford in the U.K. He conducted a systematic review and analysis of all published and unpublished randomized clinical trials comparing the effects of 14 antidepressants in young people with major depressive disorder. The study included 34 trials involving 5,260 patients.
Researchers assessed the drugs on efficacy, tolerability, acceptability and associated serious issues like suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Out of 14 antidepressants, only fluoxetine — sold as Prozac and Sarafem — relieved symptoms more effectively than a placebo pill and had benefits that outweighed its risks.
Nortriptyline — sold as Pamelor — was significantly less effective than seven other antidepressants and a placebo pill. Imipramine — known as Tofranil — and duloxetine — sold as Cymbalta, ranked lowest for tolerability. Venlafaxine was also ranked low for tolerability and showed an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts.
While researchers say the study provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of commonly prescribed antidepressant use in children and teens, they caution that further research is necessary to determine the drugs' true effectiveness and potential for harms on young patients.
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