Medco Analysis Finds Pediatric Antidepressant Use Declining

Recent FDA warnings about the use of antidepressants in children appear to be having a significant effect on the number of pediatric prescriptions for the drugs, according to an analysis by one of the nation's largest pharmaceutical benefit managers.

The analysis, compiled by Medco Health Solutions, revealed that the proportion of patients under age 18 taking antidepressants declined by approximately 16 percent during the fourth quarter of 2004, compared to the same period of 2003. Medco said the numbers were particularly revealing because the fourth quarter is traditionally a time of year when antidepressant use peaks.

The decline was even greater during the third quarter, with the proportion falling 19 percent compared to the third quarter of 2003. For the entire year of 2004, the proportion of pediatric patients taking antidepressants dropped by 10 percent, a sharp contrast to the roughly 9 percent increase seen in 2003, Medco said.

The decline in antidepressant use among children in the third and fourth quarters tracks closely with the FDA's recent actions on the drug class. The agency issued an order in October 2004 requiring manufacturers to add "black box" warnings to antidepressant labeling to indicate the drugs may pose increased health risks to children.