What happened
On October 15, 2026, the UK medicines regulator (MHRA) announced clearer safety information for antidepressants. The changes include:
- a new boxed warning in the leaflet pointing to information about suicidal thoughts and behaviour;
- a patient card in or on the box;
- for some antidepressants, naming "Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction" (PSSD), which is sexual side effects that can continue after the medicine is stopped.
A new leaflet for first appointments is planned for 2027.
These are UK changes. The underlying risks are not new; the regulator is making the existing warnings easier to find and understand.
What this means for you
- Do not stop suddenly. Stopping an antidepressant abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms and can bring depression back. The regulator says patients should not stop "without first speaking to their healthcare professional." If you want to stop or switch, plan it with your clinician.
- Watch the first weeks, and any dose change. Thoughts of suicide can, uncommonly, increase early in treatment or after a dose change, especially in people under 25. Tell someone you trust that you have started a new medicine, and ask them to tell you if they notice changes.
- Sexual side effects are worth raising. They are common while taking these medicines, and for some people they continue after stopping. You can bring this up with your clinician; there may be options.
- For most people, used as prescribed and with a clinician's oversight, the benefits outweigh the risks. The regulator says so explicitly.
Get help right away if you have thoughts of harming yourself. In the U.S., call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911.
About this page
This page is general information and is not advice about your own treatment. It does not create a physician–patient relationship. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Medical disclaimer.