Depression

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”.…

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.…

Prescribing dilemma: balancing risk and benefit when treating sertraline sexual dysfunction

The first of a new series of articles exploring real-world dilemmas that pharmacist prescribers encounter in clinical practice.…

Psilocybin may be as effective as escitalopram in treating depression, study suggests

A meta-analysis has found similar effectiveness of psilocybin compared with escitalopram in the treatment of depression, but the study does have limitations.…

Nearly half of long-term antidepressant users could safely taper off medication using helpline

Participants with access to psychological support through online or phone helplines reported better mental wellbeing after discontinuation of antidepressants.…

Stopping antidepressants causes withdrawal symptoms in 15% of patients, meta-analysis finds

Researchers estimated one in six to seven people will experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping antidepressants.…

Boots UK shuts online mental health service to new patients

Exclusive: The multiple launched the online service in 2022, but says it is now at capacity and will be “temporarily paused” to new patients.…

EMA finds no link between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal thoughts

The European Medicines Agency's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee has confirmed that no update to product information is warranted.…

All forms of exercise effective in treating depression, meta-analysis finds

Researchers concluded that exercise appeared to be equally effective for patients with different levels of depression.…

How to talk to patients about starting antidepressants

Antidepressants are a treatment option for depression, but there are many misconceptions about them. This article summarises what pharmacists should discuss with patients starting treatment.…