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UK Considers Ban on Antidepressants for Children
December 15, 2003

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Research Summary

The United Kingdom is close to banning antidepressant drugs for children because of reports that the drugs could increase suicidal tendencies, Reuters reported Dec. 10.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the government's watchdog on drug safety, said that clinical trials have shown that prescribed antidepressants could lead to suicide in children under age 18.

Among the drugs that would be banned are Cipralex, a second-generation antidepressant manufactured by the Danish group Lundbeck A/S; its predecessor drug, Cipramil; Effexor, manufactured by Wyeth; Seroxat, made by GlaxoSmithKline Plc; and Lustral, manufactured by Pfizer Inc.; and Faverin.

The exception is Prozac, which is also licensed in the United States to treat depression in children.

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