Antidepressants for Those Without Depression?

A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics shows the antidepressant drug amytriptyline to be effective at reducing IBS symptoms in teenagers. Dr. Ron Bahar and colleagues at the University of California at Los Angeles tested 33 teens, ages 12 to 18, including 24 females. During the 8-week treatment phase of the study, the teens who received amytriptyline instead of the placebo showed significant reductions in IBS-related diarrhea and pain. Their overall quality of life also improved. Bahar said that until this study, only peppermint oil had been studied as a potential treatment in children. This investigation paves the way for future studies that use amytriptyline to treat IBS in children. Reuters, May 9, 2008
2008-05-13 05:16:27