Defining and Managing Suicidal Risk in Patients Taking Psychotropic Medications

Article AbstractIn March 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory warning that antidepressant treatment may increase suicidality and worsen depression in adult and pediatric patients. Then, in May 2007, the FDA proposed that the black box warning in the prescribing information for antidepressants and other drugs used to treat depression be updated to include a warning about an increased risk of suicidality in young adults. In January 2008, the FDA announced that antiepileptic medication labeling will be required to include a warning about an increased risk of suicidality.