Depression and Transplant Related Topics
Questions and Answers on Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) - Why is FDA recommending that Paxil not be used for the treatment of pediatric major depressive disorder (MDD)? FDA is currently reviewing reports of an increased risk of suicidal thinking and suicide attempts related to the use of the drug Paxil in children and adolescents under the age of 18 with MDD. Although FDA has not completed this evaluation, we are recommending that Paxil not be used in the treatment of pediatric MDD. There is no evidence that Paxil is effective in children or adolescents with MDD.
- Should children using Paxil stop taking it immediately?
It is very important that children and adolescents not stop taking Paxil suddenly, as there is a risk of discontinuation effects. Caretakers of children and adolescents currently taking Paxil should consult their doctor to discuss the best course of action. If they are doing well on Paxil, their doctor may advise that they complete their course of treatment. If their doctor advises that Paxil should be stopped, this should be done gradually to minimize the risk of discontinuation effects. If the dose is not reduced gradually, there is a greater chance of experiencing side effects. If severe unwanted side effects occur, it may be necessary to start taking Paxil again or increase the dose before subsequently decreasing the dose more gradually. - What data is the advice based on?
Three well-controlled clinical trials carried out in children (under 18 years of age) with MDD compared the effect of Paxil and placebo (sugar pills) and found that Paxil did not work any better than placebo in the treatment of MDD.Based on the results of the new analyses of safety data from pediatric studies, it was found that certain possibly suicide-related behaviors, including suicidal thoughts and attempts, were more common in children receiving Paxil. The risk of these events in the study was about 3 times greater with Paxil compared to placebo. There were no deaths in these trials. - Is Paxil approved for the treatment of children and adolescents?
The FDA has not approved Paxil for the treatment of MDD or any other indication in pediatric patients. However, the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine and physicians may use a drug in ways other than indicated on the labeling when, in their professional judgment, it is warranted in a particular case. - My child is taking Paxil for a condition other than depression. What should I do?
Paxil has not been approved for use in children under the age of 18 for any indication, but your child may have been prescribed Paxil for an off-label use. As stated above, physicians may use a drug in ways other than indicated on the labeling when, in their professional judgment, it is warranted in a particular case. If your child is taking Paxil, you should consult with your doctor before making any changes. It is very important that Paxil not be stopped abruptly since discontinuation effects may occur. - What does this mean for the use of Paxil in adults?
Paxil is approved for use in adults for the following indications: major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Extensive analyses of the data from studies of Paxil in adults and from postmarketing adverse event reports have not revealed an increase in the rate of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts compared to placebo. - What advice can you provide to adults using Paxil?
It is vital that patients are not panicked into stopping their medication suddenly. The advice to adults using Paxil has not changed. Paxil has been demonstrated to be effective in treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder in adults. Anyone taking Paxil who is feeling unwell or is concerned about the treatment should consult his or her doctor. - Why would Paxil cause these reactions in children and not in adults?
Childhood depression is different from adult depression. The reasons are not clear but could relate to the continuing development of the child’s brain. It has been difficult to show effectiveness in children of antidepressants known to work in adults and a number of effective adult antidepressants have not been shown to work in childhood depression Children may also react very differently to some medicines and some side effects over a range of drugs are seen in children that are not seen in adults.However, the Agency has not yet definitively determined that there is an increased risk of suicidal behavior in pediatric patients with MDD treated with Paxil. - Are there drugs approved for the treatment of depression in children?
Prozac (fluoxetine) is the only drug approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in children. It is approved in children 8 to 18 years of age. - What is Paxil?
Paxil (paroxetine) is one of a class of medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs increase the activity of an important brain chemical called serotonin, a chemical know to be deficient in patients with MDD. - How long has Paxil been on the market?
Paxil was first approved in the United States on December 29, 1992, for the treatment of depression.
FDA Talk Paper
June 19, 2003
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Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA Statement Regarding the Anti-Depressant Paxil for Pediatric Population ADVISORY: DESPITE THE NEW POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT USE OF PAXIL IN CHILDREN, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PATIENTS TAKING PAXIL (paroxetine hydrochloride) DO NOT SUDDENLY DISCONTINUE USE OF THE DRUG. ANY CHANGES MUST TAKE PLACE UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said today it is reviewing reports of a possible increased risk of suicidal thinking and suicide attempts in children and adolescents under the age of 18 treated with the drug Paxil for major depressive disorder (MDD). Although the FDA has not completed its evaluation of the new safety data, FDA is recommending that Paxil not be used in children and adolescents for the treatment of MDD. There is currently no evidence that Paxil is effective in children or adolescents with MDD, and Paxil is not currently approved for use in children and adolescents. Other approved treatment options are available for depression in children. Paxil is approved for use in adults for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), MDD, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. There is no evidence that Paxil is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thinking in adults.Three well-controlled trials in pediatric patients with MDD failed to show that the drug was more effective than placebo. The new safety information that is currently under review was derived from trials of Paxil in pediatric patients. Following its review of the same data, the UK Department of Health issued a Press Release on June 10 stating that paroxetine (brand name Seroxat in the UK) must not be used to treat children and teenagers under the age of 18 years for depressive illness because UK authorities have concluded that there is an increase in the rate of self harm and potentially suicidal behavior in this age group, when paroxetine is used for depressive illness. FDA advises that caretakers of pediatric patients already receiving treatment with Paxil for MDD talk to their doctor before stopping use of the drug. Patients should not discontinue use of Paxil without first consulting their physicians, and it is important that Paxil not be abruptly discontinued. More information about today's statement is available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/paroxetine/default.htm
Depression Negatively Impacts Patients Awaiting Lung Transplants Depression is a significant predictor of worse quality of life and perceived shortness of breath in paitents awaiting lung transplant. The researchers report the negative effects of depression are above and beyond other factors, such as lung function and the underlying disease, and believe that efforts to treat depression might improve outcomes after lung transplant. (Source Duke University, 2003)
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