Antidepressive drugs could cause suicidal tendencies 

MEDICINES TO treat depression will now carry a health warning stating they can cause aggressive and suicidal tendencies in young people and children.

The decision was taken by the European Commission following clinical trials carried out by the Medicines for Human Use (MHU) Committee.

Psychiatric director of Júlio de Matos Hospital in Lisbon, António Bento, said that these types of behaviour patterns were not the norm, but that they were on the increase in Portugal. “Depression affects 20 per cent of the population and the side effects of these medicines should be spelt out, especially given the widespread consumption of these drugs in Portugal,” he said.

According to the MHU Committee, the effects of these drugs, when prescribed for children and young adults, should always be strictly observed and the patients closely monitored for signs of abnormal behaviour.