Guidance

Antidepressants: use and safety

Guidance on the use and side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), their safety, use in pregnancy and the risk of suicidal behaviour.

• From: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
• Published: 18 December 2014
• Last updated: 15 October 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 15 October 2026

     This page was previously published in 2014 and has been updated to reflect the outcome of the MHRA’s review of antidepressants on how the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and sexual dysfunction where symptoms continue after stopping treatment are communicated to patients.

  2. 18 December 2014

     First published.

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Antidepressants: use and safety

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The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance for healthcare professionals covers:

• risk of suicidal behaviour
• withdrawal reactions
• use in pregnancy
• effects on tamoxifen effectiveness
• interaction with methylthioninium chloride

For up to date information about these medicines, please consult the relevant Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet on the MHRA’s products page.