FDA advisory panel calls for suicide warnings over new antidepressants

n a surprise move on 2 February, a panel of scientific advisers of the US Food and Drug Administration urged the agency to warn that new anti-depressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking or behaviour among children and teenagers.

During a 10 hour hearing, experts weighed the official presentations of uncertain scientific data against powerful emotional testimony from dozens of families whose children have killed themselves or others after taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor—a class including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat).