Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for children and adolescents.
The controlled studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pediatric psychopharmacology research lag behind the controlled studies of SSRIs in adults. As a result, widespread use of SSRIs in the treatment of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders is in stark contrast to the paucity of research data. Recent changes in the research climate (including support from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and industry) have encouraged well-designed SSRI studies in pediatric psychopharmacology, and will ultimately provide needed information to guide treatment. This paper reviews the best available data from pediatric SSRI trials, including 10 double-blind placebo-controlled trials, and two abstracts of open-label continuation studies of SSRIs associated with large pediatric efficacy studies. Adverse events (AEs) of SSRIs in children and adolescents are discussed in reference to available pediatric studies. Recent pharmacokinetic studies of SSRIs in children and adolescents are reviewed. Future SSRI research strategies are also discussed.
Kastelic
E A
EA
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, CMSC 346, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. ekastel@jhmi.edu
Labellarte
M J
MJ
Riddle
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors