Gainesville, FL—The selective noradrenalin-reuptake-inhibitor atomoxetine, initially investigated for the treatment of depression, was approved in 2002 for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment but has been associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation in children and adolescents. A study published recently in the journal Pediatrics analyzed whether the observed increased risk of suicidal ideation in clinical trials translates into an increased risk of suicidal events in pediatric patients—participants in 26 Medicaid programs—treated with atomoxetine, compared with stimulants. The upshot from University of Florida researchers: First- and second-line treatment of youths aged 5 to 18 years with atomoxetine compared with stimulants was not significantly associated with an increased risk of suicidal events, although researchers were unable to do a stratified analysis of high-risk groups or assessment of suicidal risk associated with long-term use of atomoxetine.

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