Children's Belly Aches Don't Disappear With Antidepressant
THURSDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Contradicting some previous research in adults, a new study suggests that the antidepressant amitriptyline (Elavil), is no better than a placebo at treating painful gastrointestinal disorders in children.
"The high placebo effect we identified in this study suggests that further studies of the use of certain antidepressants in children with functional bowel disorders are needed. While several trials have demonstrated a beneficial effect of antidepressants, including amitriptyline, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in adults, more research is needed to determine how effective this drug is, if at all, in children," study author Dr. Miguel Saps of Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said in a news release from the American Gastroenterological Association.
The drug is used to treat depression, but it is sometimes prescribed on an "off-label" basis to children who have certain painful gastrointestinal disorders. The drug is thought to reduce pain, the researchers noted.
"Off label" means that the drug is not federally approved for use to treat a condition. However, doctors can still prescribe it for that purpose.
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