Inside STAT: Experts argue ‘black box’ warning for antidepressants is harmful

THESE DATA APPEARED IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT IN ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT MEDICINE. (USED HERE WITH PERMISSION.)

Since 2004, the FDA has required a "black box warning" on antidepressants that they might put kids at an increased risk of suicide — but those warnings might have stopped some adolescents from seeking care for depression, two experts argue in a new First Opinion for STAT. While antidepressants can cause harm if used inappropriately, the warnings themselves have also caused harm, the authors say. “The FDA was undoubtedly acting with good intentions,” they write. But since the warnings took effect, fewer young people with depression are using antidepressants or talk therapy, while suicidal behavior is on the rise. More here.