Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia

Treating Depression In Children Could Lead To Poor Bone Development

by Medindia Content Team on Nov 19 2004 5:10 PM

A common class of drugs prescribed to children with depression may have an adverse effect on bone growth, according to a new study. Researchers say they found a reduction in bone mass and size in mice given fluoxetine, more commonly known as Prozac. Fluoxetine is the only prescription antidepressant currently approved by the FDA for children and adolescents.

Other preliminary studies show the use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine, has been linked to increased bone loss at the hip in elderly women, decreased bone density in men, and decreased skeletal growth in children.

In conclusion researchers say more research is needed on the use of these drugs in children since bone development early in life is believed to determine lifelong skeletal health.


Advertisement