Prozac and Paxil Lower Suicide Rate for Adults, But Raise it for Children and Teens

The same common antidepressants long suspected of increasing suicide rates among children appear to dramatically reduce the same risk among adults, according to Italian scientists.

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a controversial group of drugs which includes popular brand names like Paxil and Prozac as well as generic drugs such as paroxetine and fluoxetine, were the focus of the study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Verona and published in the Canadian Medical Journal.

The study found that use of the drugs cut suicide risk by more than 40 percent in adults and by more than 50 percent for the elderly. More than 200,000 patients took part in the study.

But the study wasn’t all good news. The findings also confirmed what had previously been known, that the use of SSRIs in children can increase the risk of suicide by boosting depression. Depression is a leading cause of suicide among children, making it the third-biggest killer of children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24.

How SSRIs work

SSRIs work by regulating levels of serotonin, a chemical neurotransmitter, in the brain. It is believed that SSRIs reduce depression by blocking the uptake of serotonin, leaving higher levels of the chemical at the receptor site in the brain.

The family of prescription medications is often the first line of defense against depression, a condition which affects millions of Americans. Other treatments for depression include therapy, psychotherapy, and modification of lifestyle. Without treatment, depression symptoms may become worse and/or last much longer. However, in most cases, the chances of recovery from depression are very high.

SSRI Side Effects

People taking SSRIs may suffer from a variety of adverse reactions and side effects, including mania, hallucinations, personality disorders, amnesia, psychosis, sleep disorders, and hostility. It is estimated that more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year for mania or psychosis triggered by an antidepressant.

Warnings About Antidepressants and Children

Health regulators in the United States and across Europe have issued several public warnings about the use of antidepressants as early as 2003. The official warnings came as clinical trials began showing a connection between the use of the drugs and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued several public health advisories in recent years about the use of antidepressants. The agency also ordered manufacturers of the drugs to add prominent Black Box warnings to the packaging of the drugs in an effort to alert users and physicians about the increased suicide risk for adolescents taking the drugs.

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