Review: most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors lead to adverse events that appear to outweigh the benefits in children
Q Are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) safe for treating depression in children?
METHODS
Data sources:
Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, and PsycINFO (to April 2003); Cochrane Library; reference lists; tables of contents; previous systematic reviews; Guideline Development Group information; and written requests to experts.
Study selection and assessment:
English language RCTs (or RCTs with English abstracts) that compared SSRIs with placebo in children (5–18 y) with depression; had adequate blinding, concealed allocation, and description of withdrawals; and were published in peer reviewed journals or reviewed in a report by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.
Outcomes:
adverse events, remission, response, and mean depression level.
MAIN RESULTS
5 published and 9 unpublished RCTs were reviewed. Fluoxetine …
