Brussels, 26/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - At the end of last year, further to a request from the European Commission on 17 December 2004, the European Medicines Agency launched review of antidepressants and especially of serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor medicines. All such substances (atomoxatine, citalopram, duloxetine,, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mianserine, milnacepran, mirtazapine, paroxetine, reboxetine, sertraline and velafaxine) are in principle used in the treatment of major depressive episodes in adults. They act in different ways but with the same result, increasing the concentration of chemical agents that stimulate neurotransmission. On 9 December, the European Agency had already reminded practitioners that the prescribing of antidepressants is not advised for children under eighteen years of age due to the heightened potential risk of suicidal or aggressive behaviour among those taking the substance (EUROPE 8851). After its meeting on 19-22 April 2005, the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products recommended the addition of a severe warning about the risks entailed. The American FDA had, on 14 September last, already decided to issue a severe warning against the use of any serotoninergic antidepressants.