Citation

Eaton L. Br. Med. J. BMJ 2004; 329(7479): 1365.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmj.329.7479.1365

PMID

15591557

PMCID

PMC535445

Abstract

Doctors prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to patients with depression and anxiety should warn them first of the risks associated with stopping the treatment, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised, after receiving recommendations from an expert group convened by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. Doctors should also monitor closely patients starting to use the drugs.

But the expert group found no evidence of more suicidal thoughts or tendencies among adults prescribed the drug than among those taking placebo or older tricyclic drugs. This is despite the fact that the potential harmful effects of the drug in children are now widely recognised. The MHRA has issued warnings about the risk of self harm and suicidal thoughts in young people taking the drugs.