How I wish that was true.
The drug insert for paxil,when my son was prescribed it, said nothing about increased risk of suicide,aggression,violence. That is only on the insert since January 2005 after hundreds of families,myself included, testified at the FDA about our experiences. This was when the FDA discovered that the clinical trials for paxil were NEVER submitted. 6 done, 1 submitted for approval of the drug... which the FDA did NOT approve for children since the clinical trials showed NO efficacy. It was the result of our testimony and the Columbia University review of ALL those clinical trials that caused the black box warning to be issued. Another fact is that there have been NO long term studies done regarding long term use of these drugs. Withdrawal is scheduled to be investigated this year by the FDA.(expect another black box warning) Putting a child on any of the ssri's must be weighed VERY carefully. Every other option should be explored first, since it is an unknown about the long term effects of ssri's. Ritalin,Strattera,Adderal all fall in the same category. Strattera warnings for suicidality came out last month. So to say that reading the drug insert gives you ALL the information you need is inaccurate, since these labels are constantly changing as the truth comes out.
It's up to the parent to make any decisions for their child, but they have the right to ALL of the information that the drug company has regarding adverse reactions. If I had the information that is available today I never would have let my son take paxil.
A parent today as all the information to make an informed decision and what signs to look for. Until 2005 that information was not out there.
