This paper examines the controversy over the use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of children and adolescents. Arguments for and against the use of SSRIs with pediatric populations are evaluated. Supporting SSRI treatment are findings that SSRIs are effective, the potential accessibility of medication, and findings that SSRIs have played a role in the overall ...

QUESTION Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are complex conditions I see in some of my pediatric patients. The indications for antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) do not include treatment of FGIDs; however, some children are prescribed SSRIs for this condition. Are antidepressants effective and safe to use for treating FGIDs in children and adolesc...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate whether antidepressants are more effective than placebo in the primary care setting, and whether there are differences between substance classes regarding efficacy and acceptability. METHODS We conducted literature searches in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and PsycINFO up to December 2013. Random...

Depression during pregnancy occurs frequently and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the drug of choice when treating pregnant women. Most published studies found no increased risks of congenital malformations in association with SSRIs, but there are reports of various malformations for SSRIs as a group and for specific SSRIs. To assess potential adverse effects of SSRIs ...

The controlled studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pediatric psychopharmacology research lag behind the controlled studies of SSRIs in adults. As a result, widespread use of SSRIs in the treatment of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders is in stark contrast to the paucity of research data. Recent changes in the research climate (including support from the Nationa...

An understanding of the clinical pharmacology of antidepressant agents is essential to optimal prescribing. The following chapter outlines general principles that influence prescribing, and then discusses specific subgroups of antidepressants. There is no generally accepted classification scheme for antidepressants, and current groupings reflect marketing, the history of development, and pharma...

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disease of widespread and debilitating pain whose cause is unknown and whose risk factors are poorly understood. It is often comorbid with rheumatoid and other pain disorders as well as psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Although they are not officially approved for this indication, antiepileptics and antidepressants are often used to treat ...

Although the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants shares a common primary pharmacology, namely the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, their secondary pharmacology is remarkably heterogeneous. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake and the consequent increase in serotonin availability are responsible for the relief of depressive symptoms and for some of the adverse eff...