The U.S. government ordered antidepressant makers on Friday to put tough warnings on the drugs to alert doctors, parents and patients the medicines increase risks of suicidal behavior among children and teens. The Food and Drug Administration said the information, to be written in bold letters and highlighted in a black box, must also state whether the drug has been cleared for use by children. Only Eli Lilly and Co.'s Prozac is FDA-approved for treating pediatric depression. The new warning labels should appear in the next month or two, the FDA said. Some mental health groups and drug makers expressed reservations about using a black box, the strongest warning the United States can put on prescription drugs. Noting that depression itself elevates suicide risk, the American Psychiatric Association worried the boxed warning "may have a chilling effect" for patients who could benefit from the drugs. "This would put seriously ill patients at great risk," the group said in a statement. The warning will stress the need to monitor the behavior of youths who start taking the medications. The chances of suicidal behavior appear greater during the first few months of treatment, the FDA said in a statement. --More 0123 Local Time 2223 GMT
