Antidepressants: new safety measures for all patients

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published a Drug Safety Update about antidepressants. New safety measures are now being implemented to improve how the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and persistent sexual dysfunction are communicated to patients taking antidepressant medications.

These changes involve a new boxed warning in the PIL, a new patient card, and a supporting safety (ancillary) leaflet. The term post SSRI sexual dysfunction (“PSSD”) is also being added to the PIL for some antidepressant medications.

Further information, background, the new measures and advice can be found on the MHRA website.