Antidepressant Use and Risk of Manic Episodes in Children and Adolescents With Unipolar Depression

Swedish cohort study (n=43,677 pts, median age 15 yrs) found no evidence of treatment-emergent mania/hypomania by 12 weeks with antidepressants (risk difference 0.06%, 95% CI −0.04% - 0.16%), but difference at 52 weeks (0.28%, 0.12%-0.44%). Authors attribute risk to other factors

SPS commentary:

A related editorial discusses the findings of the study. Authors conclude that the findings offer reassuring evidence that manic symptoms arise with approximately equal frequency in younger people with depression whether or not they are treated with antidepressants, but caution a careful clinical risk/benefit assessment remains essential prior to initiating antidepressant medications. 

Source:

JAMA Psychiatry

Resource links:

Editorial