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Black Box Labeling Essay

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BLACK BOX WARNINGS

Introduction:

 A "black box" warning is the most serious warning in prescription drug labeling.
The manufacturers of certain antidepressants have already changed the product labeling to warn about a possible increased risk of suicidality with these drugs. But now a "black box" warning is being required for all antidepressant drugs.

SSRI AND KIDS:

Suicide is the 6th leading cause of death for 5-14 y/o and 3rd leading cause of death for 15-24 y/o
• Adolescents age 15-19 _ completed suicide rate 0.008% (0.4-0.5% if depressed) Other studies suggest average 7% with depression
• Suicide attempts = 8.8% (35-55% if depressed) Suicidal ideation = 19% (higher if depressed)
• Availability of guns is the paramount risk factor for younger, impulsive individuals
• Among ages 15-19 years, firearm-related suicides accounted for 62% of the suicide rate over the last few decades.

• As in adults, depression in children and adolescents is treatable. Certain antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be beneficial to children and adolescents with MDD. Certain psychotherapy modules also have been shown to be effective. However, our awareness of antidepressant treatments in children and adolescents, though growing substantially, is incomplete compared to our knowledge about treating depression in adults.
• Recently, there has been few trepidation that the use of antidepressant

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