Anti-depressants

Mental Health Nursing,  Nov 2003  

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The Medicines and Healthcare Regulation Agency says new results from clinical show higher rates of harmful outcomes in young people using the Venlafaxine group of antidepressants.

The MHRA said the trials did not demonstrate efficacy in depressive illness in the age group (six to 17) compared to the placebo, and showed an increase in hostility, suicidal ideation and self-harm.

As a result the MHRA's Committee on Safety of Medicines has ruled that the balance and risks of Venlaxafine (Efexor) is unfavourable for the treatment of this age group. It does warn, however that Venlaxafine, manufactured by Wyeth, should not be stopped suddenly because of the risk of withdrawal reactions. The dose should be gradually reduced, over at least two weeks, and the patient monitored to minimise the risk of withdrawal reactions.

Earlier this year the MHRA also banned children from taking Seroxat, another anti-depressant manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association Nov 2003
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