Antidepressant Safety Statistics Misinterpreted, Experts Say

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on July 17, 2006

The issue of the British Medical Journal, published on July 8, quotes Dr. David Healy, a professor of psychiatry at Cardiff University in Wales. He says that while he is a supporter of so-called SSRI antidepressants, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the risks of taking them are not always well understood or quantified.

When the drugs are studied before FDA approval, Healy says, the risks of suicide have been routinely understated while the benefits of such medications are overhyped. He believes that the approval process for antidepressants and other drugs needs to be overhauled to achieve more reliable and truthful results.

Proponents of SSRI drugs say that because countless suicides are prevented by treating depression, the increased risk of SSRI side effects is worthwhile.

Currently, The FDA requires a "black box" warning on SSRIs – the strongest cautionary labeling – telling users that the drugs may cause an increased risk of suicides and suicidal thoughts in teens and children. The agency has also released a public health advisory outlining the risks of suicides in adults.

If you or a loved one is currently taking an SSRI antidepressant and you are concerned about the possible side effects, you should talk to your doctor before changing or discontinuing your medication.

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