BMJ  2005;331 (17 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7530.0-c

Fewer drugs are being prescribed to children with depression

In Ireland, prescriptions of antidepressants to children under 16 years old with depression showed a significant downward trend between 2001 and 2004, but prescribing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has not reduced despite safety warnings. Bennett and colleagues (p 1451) used the General Medical Services claims database to evaluate the pattern of prescribing antidepressants to children and compared it with prescribing to adults. In 2003, 43 per 1000 children were prescribed an antidepressant, and 60% of them received only one prescription. The pattern and trends don't reflect those of prescribing antidepressants to adults.

Credit: VOISIN/PHANIE/REX

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Overprescribing antidepressants to children: pharmacoepidemiological study in primary care

Kathleen Bennett, Mary Teeling, and John Feely
BMJ 2005 331: 1451-1452. [Full Text] [PDF]