[Adolescents, MUPS and SSRIs: caution is advised].

Although the prescription of SSRIs for patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) has increased in past years, there is still remarkably little evidence for their efficacy in adults with MUPS, as shown by a recent Cochrane review. As there is virtually no evidence that SSRIs are effective in adolescents with MUPS, doctors should think twice before prescribing SSRIs for this patient group; SSRIs can have serious side effects, particularly in adolescents. Increasing numbers of off-label prescriptions and a great improvement in symptoms in two adolescents with MUPS and psychiatric problems as described in a recent article in the Dutch Journal of Medicine (NTvG) do not justify the, albeit cautious, recommendation to consider prescribing SSRIs for adolescents with MUPS and depressive or anxiety symptoms.