News | Mental health

News

Antidepressants ‘substantially increase risk’ of low blood pressure when standing up in older people, study results suggest

Researchers found that patients aged over 60 years who were prescribed selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors were at a four-fold increased risk of postural hypotension in first four weeks of use.…

Published: 21 May 2025

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Repeat prescription opioids most commonly linked to patient harm and deaths, study results show

Researchers found that between January 2019 and December 2023, opioid analgesics made up 76% of the medications mentioned in coroners’ prevention of future deaths reports.…

Published: 6 May 2025

Feature

Lost days: the unstemmed rise in mental health-related absences

There has been a significant rise in sickness absence for mental health reasons among hospital pharmacists in England over the past five years. What needs to change and where can NHS pharmacists access help in the meantime?…

Published: 30 April 2025

News

MHRA to review blood monitoring requirements for clozapine patients

Starting in summer 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will seek views on ways to improve awareness of patient risks related to clozapine.…

Published: 28 April 2025

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Coroner writes to ICB following death of patient who took too many of their prescribed drugs

The ‘Prevention of future deaths’ report, published on 16 April 2025, was issued following the death of patient who was waiting for mental health support.…

Published: 24 April 2025

News

Antidepressants added to PCN structured medication review list

From 2025/2026, primary care networks are required to include people using antidepressants for structured medication reviews as part of medicines optimisation processes for “high-risk cohorts”.…

Published: 8 April 2025

News

More than half of pharmacy staff struggle with mental health over medicines shortages, reveals survey

Respondents to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Workforce Wellbeing Survey also cited inadequate staffing, lack of work–life balance and increased financial pressures as factors that negatively impact their mental health.…

Published: 18 February 2025

Feature

The dangers of propranolol for anxiety

Despite warnings issued five years ago about the risks of prescribing propranolol to treat anxiety, experts say there is still not enough being done to protect patients.…

Published: 12 February 2025

News

Antidepressant use associated with increased hospitalisation in treatment of bipolar disorder, research suggests

Of the specific monotherapies analysed, only lithium was associated with lower depression-related hospitalisation risk.…

Published: 11 February 2025

Feature

The novel schizophrenia drug showing renewed potential for better outcomes

A novel acetylcholine receptor drug has become the first new medicine to treat schizophrenia in decades. But even after gaining approval in the United States, experts are still conflicted on its benefits over current antipsychotic medicines.…

Published: 5 February 2025