Mental Health Blogs

I knew this was going to happen: news is just out that the FDA’s psychopharmacology advisory committee today voted to recommend that the FDA approve three atypical antipsychotics for use in treating teens aged 13 to 17 with schizophrenia and in kids aged 10 to 17 for alleged pediatric bipolar disorder. The drugs in question are Zyprexa, Seroquel and Geodon. These drugs have already generated huge problems in adults–diabetes, heart attacks, rapid weight gain–and bear black box warnings about sudden death in elderly patients. Off-label use of these drugs in kids has also lead to the same kinds of problems.

Panel members did express concerns about long-term use of the drugs due to their side effects:

“‘I’m concerned about the lack of true long-term studies’ especially in younger patients ‘who will have a long lifetime, hopefully,’ said panel member Ruth Day, a researcher at Duke University.”

The FDA is not bound by the recommendation and will now ponder whether to approve the drugs.

Go to Source

Related posts:

1. Perspective On Antipsychotics For Kids FDA Panel Recommendation
2. FDA Dubs Antipsychotics For Kids Effective With Substantial Risks
3. JAMA Study Finds Explosive Weight Gain In Kids On Antipsychotics
4. Study: Medicaid Kids Get Antipsychotics At Four Times The Rate Of Privately-Insured Kids
5. Seroquel Gets FDA Approval For Use In 10-Year-Olds