Slightly increased risk for suicidal ideation with antidepressant use, but even greater benefits
Previous analyses showing an increased risk for suicidal ideation in children and adolescents taking antidepressants led the FDA to require a boxed warning on labels of all antidepressants. To further assess the risks and benefits of antidepressants, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 27 clinical trials of antidepressant use (mostly SSRIs) in pediatric patients for major depressive disorder (MDD, 15 trials), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, 6 trials), and other anxiety disorders (6 trials).
In pooled analyses, response rates in the drug and placebo groups were 61% versus 50% for patients with MDD, 52% versus 32% for patients with OCD, and 69% versus 39% for patients with other anxiety disorders. After minor statistical adjustments, …