Furious Seasons

March 20, 2009

Lexapro Approved For Adolescent Depression

News is out that the FDA today approved Lexapro, made by Forest labs, for the treatment of major depression in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old. The drug will of course carry the suicidality black box warning.

Forest Labs has been in the news lately over accusations that it off-label marketed Lexapro for use in kids and paid kickbacks to doctors, a scandal that also includes a Harvard child psychiatrist who got $750,000 to help the company in its efforts.

I simply cannot wait to see what studies the FDA thought were of sufficient quality to approve the drug for kids.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at March 20, 2009 01:14 PM

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Comments

Yeah, I'd like to know as well. I am also wondering why the black box warning only seems to apply to kids?

Posted by: Oz at March 20, 2009 04:15 PM

as one who took the poisin Paxil for 10 years, I can speak to at least one adult's experience. Suicide became a destination in my mind, to the exclusion of all other options ...how's that for a plan.Suicide ideation to the exclusion of all else...Eventually I was arrested on the issuance I suppose of a waarant from my shrink...I survived in a manner of speaking.Now 16 months thru withdrawal some of my symptoms are getting worse...I curse thae day

Posted by: richard coughlin at March 21, 2009 01:32 PM

For Richard - bless you, it does get better, with some help. Check out the link.

Posted by: Lilly NC at March 21, 2009 07:59 PM

thanks for your thoughts, Lilly

Posted by: richard coughlin at March 22, 2009 01:51 AM

I am curious to know the reason for the author's hostility towards giving Lexapro to adolescents? I apologize, I am new to your blog, so maybe the answer is here and I just haven't read enough yet.

www.itsmewithocd.blogspot.com

Posted by: Bloggerwithocd at March 22, 2009 07:05 AM

Welcome to the neighborhood, Bloggerwithocd! Join with us as
we explore the moral and ethical bankruptcy of companies and agencies which make drugs and permit them to be given to children - despite known poor efficacy, dangerous side-effects and death.

Posted by: Lilly NC at March 22, 2009 06:04 PM

Interesting that Lexapro was approved for adolescents given that Celexa wasn't approved for pediatric use. After all, the active ingredient in Lexapro is one of the two optical isomers (enantiomers) of citalopram which are found in Celexa. On February 25, 2009 Furious Seasons reported the following from the DOJ: "The Complaint alleges that a double-blind, placebo-controlled, pediatric trial found Celexa no more effective than the placebo for pediatric use ...." How did the patent extender Lexapro get approved when the original Celexa - now available as a generic - wasn't?

Posted by: Joe at March 23, 2009 05:53 AM

I was just wondering what the POINT of FDA black box warnings is if the FDA - in its I'm sure infinite wisdom - feels free to ignore them. Forget about whatever phony study they based the decision on....

Posted by: anonymous at March 23, 2009 06:19 AM

Who cares about Celexa? It's now generic, and cheap.

Posted by: anonymous at March 23, 2009 12:12 PM