The drug Paxil or Seroxat (paroxetine) is already banned from use by adolescents because of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
In Biomed Central journal, University of Oslo scientists said analysis of existing studies suggested these warnings should be extended to adults.
GlaxoSmithKline, which makes the drug, said it had helped millions.
Paroxetine is one in a class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Last year the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) Committee on Safety of Medicines concluded that a modest increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm for SSRIs could not be ruled out, but the benefits for adults outweighed the risks.
The studies included 916 patients on paroxetine and 550 patients on placebo.
There were no actual suicides in any of the studies. However, there were seven suicide attempts in the group on paroxetine, and only one in the placebo group.
Writing in Biomed Central, the team led by Dr Ivor Aursenes, said: "Patients and doctors should be warned that the increased suicidal activity observed in children and adolescents taking certain antidepressant drugs may well be present also in adults.
A spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline: "We take the safety of all our medicines extremely seriously and will, of course, review this study carefully when it becomes available."
No comments:
Post a Comment