FDA Addresses Antidepressant Suicide Issue

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally responded to concerns that some antidepressants may increase suicidal behavior. The regulatory agency is advising clinicians, patients, families and caregivers of adults and children that they should "closely monitor all patients being placed on therapy with these drugs for worsening depression and suicidal thinking, which can occur during the early period of treatment."

The agency is also advising that these patients also be observed for other behaviors associated with these drugs, including "anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia (severe restlessness), hypomania, and mania, and that physicians be particularly vigilant in patients who may have bipolar disorder". Read the FDA's own summary here.