Study Says Drug Could Hamper Bone Growth

A common class of drugs prescribed to children with depression may have an adverse effect on bone growth, a study says.

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine said they looked at the effect of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, on bone accrual in growing mice. The findings showed a reduction in bone mass and size in the mice administered an SSRI.

The study was outlined in the journal Endocrinology.

These findings indicate a potential negative impact of SSRIs on the skeleton and point to a need for further research into the prescribing of these drugs to children and adolescents, said lead author Stuart J. Warden, assistant professor in the I.U. Department of Physical Therapy.

The study investigated the effects of fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, on bone growth in young mice. Warden and his colleagues selected fluoxetine because it is the only prescription antidepressant currently approved by the FDA for children and adolescents.