Higher Doses of Antidepressants Double Suicide Risk among Children and Young Adults, Study : News : University Herald
▻http://www.universityherald.com/articles/9208/20140502/doses-antidepressants-suicide-children-young-adults-treatment.htm
High dose of antidepressants increases suicide risk among children and young adults during the first three months of treatment, according to a Harvard School of Public Health study.
Researchers said that those who pop antidepressants including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRIs) at higher doses were twice likely to attempt suicide than their peers who consume at average or typical prescribed doses.
Previous studies showed SSRI antidepressants increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and teenagers. The conclusions incited the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning about the risk in 2004. The agency later expanded the warning to young adults up to the age of 25.
The warnings have not been well-accepted from all sections of medical society as SSRIs antidepressants have been found to effectively treat anxiety and depression.
(…)
The researchers found that the rate of suicidal behavior (deliberate self-harm or DSH) among children and adults (24 years or younger) who were associated with higher doses of antidepressant was twice when compared to a group of patients who were given the normal prescribed doses.
“It certainly is one more piece of information that should make doctors reluctant to start younger patients on high doses,” Miller said, “even if those doses are within the therapeutic range.”