PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Edmund Tan
AU  - Christine H. Smith
AU  - Ran D. Goldman
TI  - Antidepressants for functional gastrointestinal disorders in children
DP  - 2013 Mar 01
TA  - Canadian Family Physician
PG  - 263--264
VI  - 59
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.cfp.ca/content/59/3/263.short
4100  - http://www.cfp.ca/content/59/3/263.full
SO  - Can Fam Physician2013 Mar 01; 59
AB  - Question Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are complex conditions I see in some of my pediatric patients. The indications for antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) do not include treatment of FGIDs; however, some children are prescribed SSRIs for this condition. Are antidepressants effective and safe to use for treating FGIDs in children and adolescents? Answer The pathogenesis of FGIDs is largely idiopathic, and although theories exist to explain why SSRIs might be used to treat FGIDs, there is no conclusive evidence of their effectiveness. No large, well controlled studies have investigated the use of SSRIs to treat FGIDs in the pediatric population. There is also evidence that suggests an increased risk of suicidal thoughts when adolescents use SSRIs. Currently, there is no recommendation to use SSRIs to treat FGIDs in children.