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Editor: Robert Binstock
Profession: Paxil Side Effect Attorney

Category: Paxil Suicide

The authors of a new extensive analysis of antidepressants for children and teens, says the benefits of treatment far outweigh the small risk of increasing some patients' chances of suicidal behaviors and thoughts.

The drugs included in the studies were: Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Serzone, Remeron, Lexapro, Effexor and Zoloft.

The study found the risk is considerably lower than the FDA first discovered in 2004, the year that the agency warned the public about the drugs' risk in children. After the FDA warning, U.S. child suicides increased and many mental health experts said fear of trying antidepressants may have been the blame.

The new analysis incorporates data from seven studies that were not included in the former FDA analysis, including two large pediatric depression trails that were not available in 2004. Researchers studied data on 5, 310 children and teenagers from 27 studies. They discovered that for every 100 kids treated with antidepressants; one additional child experienced worsening suicidal thoughts, about what would have happened had they not been on drug treatment.

"The medications are safe and effective and should be considered as an important part of treatment," said study co-author Dr. David Brent of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "The benefits seem favorable compared to the small risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior."