FDA notified healthcare professionals that the Agency proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications update the existing black box warning on the prescribing information for their products to include warnings about the increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults ages 18 to 24 years old during the first one to two months of treatment.

The proposed labeling changes also state that scientific data did not show this increased risk in adults older than 24 years of age and that adults 65 years of age and older taking antidepressants
have a decreased risk of suicidality.

The proposed updates apply to the entire category of antidepressants. Individuals currently taking
prescribed antidepressant medications should not stop taking them and should notify their healthcare professional if they have concerns.

Manufacturers of antidepressant medications will have 30 days to submit their revised product labeling and revised Medication Guides to FDA for review. See the FDA press release for the list of products affected by the proposed antidepressant product labeling changes.

This information originated on MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. May 2, 2007