Paxil - Troublesome Timeline
In this 2003 article, we learn that the FDA, America's government body with a mandate to make sure there is at least some level of oversight to the quality and safety of medications being prescribed to the American populace, has warned against the use of Paxil in young children. The warning followed a similar announcement by British medical authorities, both groups citing an increased risk of the drug prompting suicidal thoughts or behaviors in younger patients. We also see that Paxil is not approved for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in any patient under the age of 18; although literal age is not at all significant in medical guidelines, there has to be a line drawn somewhere, and the FDA has chosen this one to warn about.
Now consider this article, which brings to light a series of tests that Glaxo is performing by prescribing Paxil to patients as young as 7 years old. The difference? They're performing the tests in Japan, which has a different series of regulations about medical tests.
Now, the FDA has not outright banned the prescription of Paxil to young patients. Indeed, in the first article they stressed that young children already on Paxil should not abruptly stop taking it, due to other risks and complications associated with abrupt cessation of treatment. So, why does Paxil feel the need to test their medicine in another country, instead of here in the United States? Why are they testing on patients so young?
The second article also raises other questions. The risk of suicidal thoughts is well-documented already, it doesn't need further proof. Yet the test is only comparing Paxil against a placebo, not against other drugs. All this will do is further confirm the suicidal tendencies related to the medication, and nothing else. After all, Paxil is an effective antidepressant and can contribute to elevated mood — this is already known.
Just what is this apparently ill-advised test meant to accomplish, after repeated warnings about this medicine's effects in young children from several government groups?
