Forest’s Lexapro approved to treat MDD

Forest’s drug Lexapro has received authorisation to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents.

The condition can be debilitating but is treatable and the firm has conducted studies to analyse the effectiveness of the drug on 12 to 17-years-old, explained chairman and chief executive officer of the firm Howard Solomon.

The medication, which works by restoring the brain’s chemical balance, has already been approved for aiding generalised anxiety disorder in adults.

Mr Solomon commented: “We are enormously gratified that Lexapro will be available for depressed adolescents who so much require the benefits.”

Earlier this month, the pharmaceutical company announced a selective serotonin and norepinphrine re-uptake inhibitor for the management of fibromyalgia would be available by mid-2009.

It had been expected to be available in March and the delay is due to the company submitting a minor post-approval cosmetic formulation change to the Food and Drug Administration. The body is expected to respond to the request by May.

Forest develops and markets products for the central nervous and cardiovascular systems.