People's Pharmacy

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Drugs For Kids Pose Parental Dilemma

Posting Date: 12/13/2004

We do not know whether she could have prevented this tragedy if she had known more. But lack of information was clearly devastating to this family.

FDA warnings are meant to provide useful advice. The problem is that they put parents and physicians into a classic double bind. Parents need better guidance so they can identify emerging problems with medications before they get out of control. It is essential for all involved?parents, children and prescribers?to stay on top of the situation as it evolves.

Two psychiatrists, Joseph Glenmullen of Harvard and David Healy, Director of the North Wales Department of Psychological Medicine in Great Britain, have been sounding the alarm about this predicament for years. Both believe the drugs are valuable, but they warn that some individuals are vulnerable to serious side effects and must be monitored closely.

An hour-long conversation with these psychiatrists is available on a CD of our radio interview on antidepressants. To order a copy, send $15 to Graedons? People?s Pharmacy (Dept CD-493); PO Box 52027; Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Families need help dealing with a complex condition like depression. Counseling can play an important role in bolstering the benefits and reducing the risks of antidepressants.

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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.org.

2004 King Features Syndicate, Inc.