Antidepressant use rising quickly among U.S. kids <-interesting stats and quote

[Guest guest]

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Apr/04062004/nation_w/154511.asp

" J. , a health policy analyst at Washington University, said

his own research shows an even greater increase in antidepressant use among

children, possibly because his figures include a broad population, including

children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are used mostly for boys

pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, " he said. " The drugs

are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even though no drug has been

shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of the use is in that area. " "

TUESDAY April 06, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune

Antidepressant use rising quickly among U.S. kids

Newsday

The use of antidepressants in U.S. children increased about 10 percent

a year between 1998 and 2002, with a far greater increase among girls than boys,

a new study says.

And while medication of preschool children remains limited to less

than one-half of 1 percent, the percentage of girls age 5 and under on

antidepressants doubled from 1998 to 2002, while use among preschool boys

increased 64 percent. Still, only 0.16 percent of girls and 0.23 percent of boys

in this age group were on antidepressants by 2002.

For children of all ages, antidepressant use increased 68 percent

among girls and 34 percent for boys. Use was highest among girls ages 15 to 18,

at 6.8 percent.

The study appears in the current issue of the journal Psychiatric

Services, and was conducted by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management

company. Researchers analyzed antidepressant use among 2 million privately

insured children.

Overall, antidepressant use among patients 18 and younger increased,

from 1.6 percent in 1998 to 2.4 percent in 2002, a 49 percent increase, they

found.

The report showing continuing increased reliance on antidepressants

for this population coincides with growing controversy over the safety of

certain antidepressants in children. Questions about the effectiveness of some

of the drugs for children have also been raised.

" There are two differing viewpoints, " said Delate, director of

research at Express Scripts and an author of the study. " One is the concern that

antidepressants are being prescribed to youths without adequate information. " On

the other hand, he said, " Mental health advocates would say that we're finally

getting some recognition of the problem of depression in children. "

Last summer, Britain barred use of the selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitor (SSRI) Paxil for depression in children because of an increase in

self-harm and suicidal behavior.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration later also recommended Paxil not

be used to treat depression in children, saying trials showed it was no more

effective than a placebo.

The study found the overall increase in antidepressant use in children

was driven by an increase in the prescription of SSRIs -- the newest class of

antidepressants. Antidepressants are used to treat a wide range of disorders in

children besides depression, and are often used to treat attention deficit

disorder, especially in boys.

Most of the uses are not specifically approved by the FDA, though

doctors legally can use the drugs for nonapproved purposes. Only Prozac is

specifically approved for treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder

in children. Zoloft and Luvox, two antidepressants, are approved for the

treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.

" The use of Ritalin made it acceptable for parents to give children

drugs, " said Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral development pediatrician and

author of the book, " Should I Medicate My Child? " When Ritalin, a stimulant,

fails to treat attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, doctors sometimes

add an antidepressant to the mix, and then a third drug if that doesn't work, he

said.

J. , a health policy analyst at Washington

University, said his own research shows an even greater increase in

antidepressant use among children, possibly because his figures include a broad

population, including children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are

used mostly for boys pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, "

he said. " The drugs are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even

though no drug has been shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of

the use is in that area. "

According to the FDA, more than 10 million children and teens under 18

took antidepressants in 2002.

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss

[Guest guest]

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Apr/04062004/nation_w/154511.asp

" J. , a health policy analyst at Washington University, said

his own research shows an even greater increase in antidepressant use among

children, possibly because his figures include a broad population, including

children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are used mostly for boys

pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, " he said. " The drugs

are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even though no drug has been

shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of the use is in that area. " "

TUESDAY April 06, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune

Antidepressant use rising quickly among U.S. kids

Newsday

The use of antidepressants in U.S. children increased about 10 percent

a year between 1998 and 2002, with a far greater increase among girls than boys,

a new study says.

And while medication of preschool children remains limited to less

than one-half of 1 percent, the percentage of girls age 5 and under on

antidepressants doubled from 1998 to 2002, while use among preschool boys

increased 64 percent. Still, only 0.16 percent of girls and 0.23 percent of boys

in this age group were on antidepressants by 2002.

For children of all ages, antidepressant use increased 68 percent

among girls and 34 percent for boys. Use was highest among girls ages 15 to 18,

at 6.8 percent.

The study appears in the current issue of the journal Psychiatric

Services, and was conducted by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management

company. Researchers analyzed antidepressant use among 2 million privately

insured children.

Overall, antidepressant use among patients 18 and younger increased,

from 1.6 percent in 1998 to 2.4 percent in 2002, a 49 percent increase, they

found.

The report showing continuing increased reliance on antidepressants

for this population coincides with growing controversy over the safety of

certain antidepressants in children. Questions about the effectiveness of some

of the drugs for children have also been raised.

" There are two differing viewpoints, " said Delate, director of

research at Express Scripts and an author of the study. " One is the concern that

antidepressants are being prescribed to youths without adequate information. " On

the other hand, he said, " Mental health advocates would say that we're finally

getting some recognition of the problem of depression in children. "

Last summer, Britain barred use of the selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitor (SSRI) Paxil for depression in children because of an increase in

self-harm and suicidal behavior.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration later also recommended Paxil not

be used to treat depression in children, saying trials showed it was no more

effective than a placebo.

The study found the overall increase in antidepressant use in children

was driven by an increase in the prescription of SSRIs -- the newest class of

antidepressants. Antidepressants are used to treat a wide range of disorders in

children besides depression, and are often used to treat attention deficit

disorder, especially in boys.

Most of the uses are not specifically approved by the FDA, though

doctors legally can use the drugs for nonapproved purposes. Only Prozac is

specifically approved for treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder

in children. Zoloft and Luvox, two antidepressants, are approved for the

treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.

" The use of Ritalin made it acceptable for parents to give children

drugs, " said Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral development pediatrician and

author of the book, " Should I Medicate My Child? " When Ritalin, a stimulant,

fails to treat attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, doctors sometimes

add an antidepressant to the mix, and then a third drug if that doesn't work, he

said.

J. , a health policy analyst at Washington

University, said his own research shows an even greater increase in

antidepressant use among children, possibly because his figures include a broad

population, including children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are

used mostly for boys pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, "

he said. " The drugs are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even

though no drug has been shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of

the use is in that area. "

According to the FDA, more than 10 million children and teens under 18

took antidepressants in 2002.

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss

[Guest guest]

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Apr/04062004/nation_w/154511.asp

" J. , a health policy analyst at Washington University, said

his own research shows an even greater increase in antidepressant use among

children, possibly because his figures include a broad population, including

children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are used mostly for boys

pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, " he said. " The drugs

are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even though no drug has been

shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of the use is in that area. " "

TUESDAY April 06, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune

Antidepressant use rising quickly among U.S. kids

Newsday

The use of antidepressants in U.S. children increased about 10 percent

a year between 1998 and 2002, with a far greater increase among girls than boys,

a new study says.

And while medication of preschool children remains limited to less

than one-half of 1 percent, the percentage of girls age 5 and under on

antidepressants doubled from 1998 to 2002, while use among preschool boys

increased 64 percent. Still, only 0.16 percent of girls and 0.23 percent of boys

in this age group were on antidepressants by 2002.

For children of all ages, antidepressant use increased 68 percent

among girls and 34 percent for boys. Use was highest among girls ages 15 to 18,

at 6.8 percent.

The study appears in the current issue of the journal Psychiatric

Services, and was conducted by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management

company. Researchers analyzed antidepressant use among 2 million privately

insured children.

Overall, antidepressant use among patients 18 and younger increased,

from 1.6 percent in 1998 to 2.4 percent in 2002, a 49 percent increase, they

found.

The report showing continuing increased reliance on antidepressants

for this population coincides with growing controversy over the safety of

certain antidepressants in children. Questions about the effectiveness of some

of the drugs for children have also been raised.

" There are two differing viewpoints, " said Delate, director of

research at Express Scripts and an author of the study. " One is the concern that

antidepressants are being prescribed to youths without adequate information. " On

the other hand, he said, " Mental health advocates would say that we're finally

getting some recognition of the problem of depression in children. "

Last summer, Britain barred use of the selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitor (SSRI) Paxil for depression in children because of an increase in

self-harm and suicidal behavior.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration later also recommended Paxil not

be used to treat depression in children, saying trials showed it was no more

effective than a placebo.

The study found the overall increase in antidepressant use in children

was driven by an increase in the prescription of SSRIs -- the newest class of

antidepressants. Antidepressants are used to treat a wide range of disorders in

children besides depression, and are often used to treat attention deficit

disorder, especially in boys.

Most of the uses are not specifically approved by the FDA, though

doctors legally can use the drugs for nonapproved purposes. Only Prozac is

specifically approved for treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder

in children. Zoloft and Luvox, two antidepressants, are approved for the

treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.

" The use of Ritalin made it acceptable for parents to give children

drugs, " said Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral development pediatrician and

author of the book, " Should I Medicate My Child? " When Ritalin, a stimulant,

fails to treat attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, doctors sometimes

add an antidepressant to the mix, and then a third drug if that doesn't work, he

said.

J. , a health policy analyst at Washington

University, said his own research shows an even greater increase in

antidepressant use among children, possibly because his figures include a broad

population, including children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are

used mostly for boys pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, "

he said. " The drugs are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even

though no drug has been shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of

the use is in that area. "

According to the FDA, more than 10 million children and teens under 18

took antidepressants in 2002.

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss

[Guest guest]

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Apr/04062004/nation_w/154511.asp

" J. , a health policy analyst at Washington University, said

his own research shows an even greater increase in antidepressant use among

children, possibly because his figures include a broad population, including

children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are used mostly for boys

pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, " he said. " The drugs

are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even though no drug has been

shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of the use is in that area. " "

TUESDAY April 06, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune

Antidepressant use rising quickly among U.S. kids

Newsday

The use of antidepressants in U.S. children increased about 10 percent

a year between 1998 and 2002, with a far greater increase among girls than boys,

a new study says.

And while medication of preschool children remains limited to less

than one-half of 1 percent, the percentage of girls age 5 and under on

antidepressants doubled from 1998 to 2002, while use among preschool boys

increased 64 percent. Still, only 0.16 percent of girls and 0.23 percent of boys

in this age group were on antidepressants by 2002.

For children of all ages, antidepressant use increased 68 percent

among girls and 34 percent for boys. Use was highest among girls ages 15 to 18,

at 6.8 percent.

The study appears in the current issue of the journal Psychiatric

Services, and was conducted by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management

company. Researchers analyzed antidepressant use among 2 million privately

insured children.

Overall, antidepressant use among patients 18 and younger increased,

from 1.6 percent in 1998 to 2.4 percent in 2002, a 49 percent increase, they

found.

The report showing continuing increased reliance on antidepressants

for this population coincides with growing controversy over the safety of

certain antidepressants in children. Questions about the effectiveness of some

of the drugs for children have also been raised.

" There are two differing viewpoints, " said Delate, director of

research at Express Scripts and an author of the study. " One is the concern that

antidepressants are being prescribed to youths without adequate information. " On

the other hand, he said, " Mental health advocates would say that we're finally

getting some recognition of the problem of depression in children. "

Last summer, Britain barred use of the selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitor (SSRI) Paxil for depression in children because of an increase in

self-harm and suicidal behavior.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration later also recommended Paxil not

be used to treat depression in children, saying trials showed it was no more

effective than a placebo.

The study found the overall increase in antidepressant use in children

was driven by an increase in the prescription of SSRIs -- the newest class of

antidepressants. Antidepressants are used to treat a wide range of disorders in

children besides depression, and are often used to treat attention deficit

disorder, especially in boys.

Most of the uses are not specifically approved by the FDA, though

doctors legally can use the drugs for nonapproved purposes. Only Prozac is

specifically approved for treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder

in children. Zoloft and Luvox, two antidepressants, are approved for the

treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.

" The use of Ritalin made it acceptable for parents to give children

drugs, " said Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral development pediatrician and

author of the book, " Should I Medicate My Child? " When Ritalin, a stimulant,

fails to treat attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, doctors sometimes

add an antidepressant to the mix, and then a third drug if that doesn't work, he

said.

J. , a health policy analyst at Washington

University, said his own research shows an even greater increase in

antidepressant use among children, possibly because his figures include a broad

population, including children who don't have private insurance. " The drugs are

used mostly for boys pre-adolescence, and mostly for girls during adolescence, "

he said. " The drugs are being used for attention deficit disorder ... even

though no drug has been shown effective. In the younger boys, the majority of

the use is in that area. "

According to the FDA, more than 10 million children and teens under 18

took antidepressants in 2002.

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss