Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in pediatric neurology: a safety issue (systematic review)

The authors searched, analyzed and systematized the results of domestic and foreign studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors-induced QT prolongation and the risk of Torsade de pointes (full-text versions of original articles, clinical cases, systemic reviews, meta-analyses, Cochrane reviews) in Russian and English languages available in bibliographic databases (eLIbRARY, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, ClinicalKeys, Oxford Press, Google Scholar, MedCredit, Drugbank, PharmGKb) to update the knowledge of practicing neurologists, cardiologists, clinical pharmacologists and general practitioners (physicians, pediatricians) about the possibility of predicting and preventing life-threatening cardiac adverse reactions. From the obtained results it can be judged that escitalopram and citalopram have a potentially high risk. Despite of the fact that sertraline is approved to use in children and adolescents both in the Russian Federation as well as abroad, studies show it significantly affects the QT interval at therapeutic and toxic doses. The safety was demonstrated by fluvoxamine and fluoxetine. Studies of these selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors didn’t show a statistically significant increase of the QT interval.

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