CAUTION: Banned SSRI's still being prescribed for children.

February 10, 2006

Banned drugs still being prescribed for children By Maxine Frith, Social

Affairs Correspondent Published: 09 February 2006

Tens of thousands of children are still being prescribed powerful

antidepressants despite guidance that they should not given to patients under 18

because of serious safety concerns.

Campaigners warned that vulnerable teenagers were being treated with a

potentially dangerous " chemical cosh " of drugs because of long waiting lists for

more suitable therapies such as counselling.

More than 85,000 prescriptions were given to children in 2004 for

antidepressants that the regulatory agencies had ruled should only be given to

adults.

One in three of all child antidepressant prescriptions were for drugs on the

" banned " list drawn up by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory

Agency (MHRA) in 2003.

The drugs, which include Seroxat and other common antidepressants known as

SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) raise the risk of emotional

distress, self-harm and suicidal thoughts among children.

Sophie Corlett, policy director of the mental health charity Mind, said:

" While [these drugs] may be appropriate for a few teenagers, guidelines

recommend against their use because the risks generally outweigh the benefits.

Doctors are advised to refer children for therapy but the waiting lists are very

long. "

The MHRA ruled in June 2003 that Seroxat should not be given to people under

18. .

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" Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest

of life by the power of the spirit. " - Aurobindo.

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