The Position of Sertraline among SSRI’s from the Aspect of Paedopsychiatry

Overview

Edwards et al.
publicised in 1999 a systematic overview of all SSRI preparations and they compared their efficacy, tolerance and their adverse effects using the results of a metaanalysis of controlled studies. The authors found no important inconvenience of sertraline compared to otherSSRI’s, which is a favourable fact for sertraline has been recommended officially for the treatment of OCD in children.The results of Alderman’s multicentre double blind, randomised study (1998) where sertraline wasadministered to patients within 6 to 17 years of age diagnosed as OCD or depression disorderpresent the efficacy and safety of sertraline in a child population. Pharmacokinetic data haveshown that child patients metabolise sertraline with a slightly higher efficacy than adults. Theproof of good tolerance and safety of this preparation also facilitates the choice of a suitable SSRIin many other mental disorders in childhood where the official indications are still missing. Riskfactors, if they exist, might be connected with the long-term use of sertraline in children andadolescents, but they have not been studied systematically so far.

Key words:
SSRI, children, adolescents, sertraline, indications, pharmacokinetics.