Harvard Mental Health Letter cites lack of testing as reason for caution on antidepressants for children
In the December issue of Harvard Mental Health Letter, the editors summarize the findings of leading reports and examine the real issues behind the topic of children and antidepressants.
BOSTON, MA (PRWEB) December 5, 2003
As the number of children taking antidepressants continues to grow, so does the international debate regarding the effects these drugs have on children. In the December issue of Harvard Mental Health Letter, the editors summarize the findings of leading reports and examine the real issues behind the topic of children and antidepressants.
The subject remains controversial. Parents and physicians should take into account certain concerns. According to Harvard Mental Health Letter, most psychiatric drugs have not been adequately tested in children. This is a major concern since childrenÂ’s bodies do not absorb and eliminate drugs in the same way adult bodies do. According to Harvard Mental Health Letter editors, other important concerns to consider include:
threats of overmedication risks of not medicating monitoring of drug reaction in children FDA warnings.
While the debate continues, the December issue offers practical advice for parents and physicians to consider when assessing a childÂ’s need for antidepressants.
Harvard Mental Health Letter is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of the Harvard Medical School. You can subscribe to Harvard Mental Health Letter for $72 per year at www. health. harvard. edu or by calling 1-877-649-9457 toll-free.
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Harvard Health Publications, a division of Harvard Medical School, publishes five monthly newsletters—Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Women’s Health Watch, Harvard Men’s Health Watch, Harvard Mental Health Letter, and Harvard Heart Letter—as well as more than 40 Special Health Reports and eight books. The goal of all of our publications is to bring the public the most current practical and authoritative health information by drawing on the expertise of the 8,000 faculty physicians at the Harvard Medical School and its world-famous affiliated hospitals. For more information about our company and our publications, please visit our Web site, www. health. harvard. edu.
