Very Serious Health Warning

Although I have made it a policy not to write about drugs in this column, given today's news I have to make an exception. Today the New York Times report that a recent FDA panel analysis of antidepressants reveals a strong suicide risk associated with taking these drugs.

And the group most affected? People under 25!

Here's what one panel member had to say.
"I really feel we have an obligation to warn the public when we have new information, and we do," said Jean Bronstein, a consumer representative and panel member from Sunnyvale, Calif., referring to a recent F.D.A. analysis that found a link between suicidal behavior and antidepressants in young adults.

From the article:
The recommendation followed hours of emotional public testimony on both sides of the issue, and comes amid a long-running debate about the safety of the drugs, which include medications like Prozac, from Eli Lilly, Paxil, from GlaxoSmithKline, and Effexor, from Wyeth.

Without jumping on a soapbox, can I tell you how many kids, aged 15 and younger, are on these types of medication in my own state? I bet everyone knows of at least a few kids on antidepressants.

What are we doing to our kids?

We have got to find better, safer alternative.