Prozac linked to child suicide risk

USA TODAY, September, 2004 by Marilyn Elias

BETHESDA, Md. -- Prozac, the only antidepressant certified as safe for children, may make kids more suicidal, according to evidence out Monday.

A large, new study added to previous research on Prozac shows that kids taking the drug have about a 50% higher risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than those getting placebos, says Robert Temple, director of the Office of Drug Evaluation at the Food and Drug Administration.

Temple spoke at the first day of hearings on potential label changes for antidepressants taken by more than a million children and teenagers. The discussion continues today, and an advisory committee could end the day by asking for tougher warning labels on all antidepressants taken by kids. The FDA typically follows the advice of its advisory...