Doctor says boy's Zoloft prescription unchanged

A family doctor testified Wednesday that a teenager was taking a starter dose of the antidepressant Zoloft when the boy shot his grandparents to death.

The testimony by Dr. Eric Naumann, then a family physician in rural Chester, undercut defense arguments that Christopher Pittman was hallucinating and out of control after his Zoloft dosage was doubled.

Christopher, 15, is being tried as an adult on two counts of murder in the November 2001 deaths of his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman. The teenager could face up to life in prison if convicted.

A family doctor testified Wednesday that a teenager was taking a starter dose of the antidepressant Zoloft when the boy shot his grandparents to death.

The testimony by Dr. Eric Naumann, then a family physician in rural Chester, undercut defense arguments that Christopher Pittman was hallucinating and out of control after his Zoloft dosage was doubled.

Christopher, 15, is being tried as an adult on two counts of murder in the November 2001 deaths of his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman. The teenager could face up to life in prison if convicted.

McCellar and other prosecution witnesses who observed Christopher during questioning described him as calm and lucid and said he answered questions clearly - testimony designed to rebut the defense's contention that the boy's violence was linked to his use of Zoloft.

Zoloft, along with prescription antidepressants such as Prozac and Paxil, have been at the center of controversy over their effects on children.

In October, the Food and Drug Administration decided there was a measurable link between these antidepressants and suicidal actions or thoughts among some younger patients, telling manufacturers to strengthen warnings to doctors and parents.

However, the FDA has never suggested there is any connection between the antidepressants and violence toward others.

In a statement, Pfizer Inc., which makes Zoloft, said, "There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Zoloft contributes to violent behavior in either adults or children."

While Zoloft is not recommended for use by children with Depression, the drug and similar antidepressants are widely prescribed for younger patients as well as adults.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Andy Vickery described Christopher as "a shy, decent boy who was acting under the influence of a powerful, mind-altering drug."

Vickery said the drug caused the boy to suffer "command hallucinations" that told him to kill his grandparents.

The killings took place outside Chester, but the trial was moved downstate to Charleston after the judge and prosecutor withdrew for personal reasons.

ZOLOFT ® is used to , panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder. Zoloft works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.