Neuroendocrine‐Related Adverse Events Associated with Antidepressant Treatment in Children and Adolescents

There is only limited community‐based practice safety information available regarding antidepressant use in pediatric patients. This study identifies the factors associated with incident neuroendocrine‐related metabolic, digestive, and sexual/reproductive adverse events in children and adolescents treated with antidepressants. A retrospective cohort design evaluating Medicaid medical and pharmacy claims between January, 1996 and December, 2005 was employed for 11970 children and adolescents prescribed an antidepressant medication, and a random sample of 4500 children not treated with psychotropic medications. Incident obesity/weight gain, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were more likely for those prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (OR = 1.49; 1.37; 1.44), whereas Type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were more likely for those prescribed weight‐inducing antidepressants (ORs = 1.26; 1.24), and those with pre‐existing endocrinopathies (ORs = 3.96; 1.90), controlling for the effects of co‐prescribed mood stabilizers or antipsychotics. Incident nausea/vomiting was less likely for those taking SSRIs (OR = 0.78). Females and children under 12 years of age were more likely to develop these adverse effects. Practitioners need to carefully consider the neuroendocrine‐ related adverse effects of SSRI antidepressant agents in particular, especially in individuals with comorbid endocrine conditions, and those co‐prescribed other classes of psychotropic medications.