FDA Debates Safety Of Antipsychotic Drugs In Kids

Patti's Comments: This article and the comments to it were very interesting to me - the debate is just getting started.

Excerpt from NPR: (click for entire article)

A panel of medical experts for the federal Food and Drug Administration is being asked to approve three powerful and expensive antipsychotic drugs for use in children. The FDA panel begins a two-day meeting outside Washington on Tuesday and is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to approve the drugs.

The hearing and the vote highlight growing use of these drugs by children, even as questions remain about their side effects.

The medications — Seroquel, Zyprexa and Geodon — are already approved for adults. Many doctors and parents say they can also be life-changing for children and adolescents with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Doctors already prescribe them to kids, even without FDA approval.

Comments

[Ajlouny]

Too many drugs have come to market bearing pedigrees which imply that they've been clinically tested, through peer review, and through rigorous FDA evaluation. And then after millions of patients take the drug, it proves dangerous or even deadly. Who's to say that these drugs would be okay for a child to take.

[Patricia Dudek]

I agree with your post. I also understand that when folks are desperate for solutions they will try anything to help their loved one. Balancing the issues is always the hardest part I think. Thanks for your comment!