U.S. Senator says Military’s use of antidepressants on troops merits serious investigation

Because of the FDA’s concerns, drug manufacturers have revised their warning labels to state that young adults — 18-24 years old — may be at an elevated risk of suicidal thought and behavior while using these medications.

Approximately 41 percent of our military forces serving on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq are within this same age range. In addition, 40 percent of Army suicide victims in 2006 and 2007 are believed to have taken some type of anti-depressant medication.

Antidepressants & birth defects

Thousands of women in the UK may be taking antidepressants prescribed by their GPs without knowing that the pills, which are hard to stop taking, could cause birth defects in unborn children. The problems relate to a class of drug known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which includes Prozac and, in particular, the British-made Seroxat.

Psychiatric Drug Side Effects Database

The mental health watchdog, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, has taken its commitment to inform and protect the public on mental health issues to a new level with the recent launch of its redesigned website and enhanced psychiatric drug side effects database.