Health explained: clearer warnings about antidepressants

October 17, 2026 · 2:39 · With Grace

I’m Grace, the station’s health and medicine columnist, with a chronicle about how medicine risks are explained. The UK medicines regulator is changing safety information for antidepressants.

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RechercheOn 15 October 2026, the MHRA announced measures to strengthen how antidepressant risks are communicated to patients, carers and healthcare professionals. The agency said its review was initiated after concerns from patients and families about how suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and sexual dysfunction that continues after treatment stops, were described in patient leaflets.
MHRA updates antidepressant info to ‘strengthen’ safety warnings
Antidepressants: new safety measures for all patients to improve communication of the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and persistent sexual dysfunction - GOV.UK
Medicines used in mental health – England – 2016/17 to 2025/26 | NHSBSA
RechercheAs a historical comparison, NHSBSA reported an estimated 8.89 million identified patients and 92.6 million antidepressant items in England in 2024/25.

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Health explained: clearer warnings about antidepressants

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