Forest announces Lexapro effective for teens

NEW YORK Forest Labs recently announced study results that showed that its depression drug Lexapro significantly improved symptoms of depression as compared to placebo treatment and was well tolerated in adolescents, aged 12-17, with major depressive disorder.

The results suggest that Lexapro has potential as a useful treatment option for adolescents with depression. Results of this study were initially released in November 2007. The drug is indicated to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults.

“Treating depression in adolescents can be particularly challenging because few antidepressants have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials in this population,” said Graham Emslie, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “In this study, Lexapro significantly improved depressive symptoms in adolescents with MDD, and was also well tolerated by study participants.”

Based on the results of this study, Forest plans to file for an adolescent depression indication for Lexapro with the Food and Drug Administration this year.