Black Box Warnings
Some medications such as antidepressants have been reported to cause suicidal ideations particularly when used for children and adolescents. Black box warnings contain a statement of this and other types of risks and can be found within medication packaging. Black box warnings are the most serious type of warning for prescription drug labels and should be taken very seriously.
These warnings are important because they can help physicians and patients decide whether or not it is safe to use a particular medication.
The class of antidepressants known as SSRIs as well as venlafaxine (an SNRI) are the medications implicated by the FDA for increasing the risk of suicide. The risk of suicidal ideations with these medications is highest in the first two months of treatment and patients should be monitored closely for suicidal ideations throughout this period.
In October 2003, the FDA issued official black box warnings for antidepressants to warn people of the risk of suicidal ideations. Although these warnings have not yet been issued in Canada, many people believe that this would help to decrease the number of suicides related to medications.
Some other medications, like Champix (a medication used for smoking cessation) also contain a black box warning for suicidal ideations. .
These warnings are important because they can help physicians and patients decide whether or not it is safe to use a particular medication.
The class of antidepressants known as SSRIs as well as venlafaxine (an SNRI) are the medications implicated by the FDA for increasing the risk of suicide. The risk of suicidal ideations with these medications is highest in the first two months of treatment and patients should be monitored closely for suicidal ideations throughout this period.
In October 2003, the FDA issued official black box warnings for antidepressants to warn people of the risk of suicidal ideations. Although these warnings have not yet been issued in Canada, many people believe that this would help to decrease the number of suicides related to medications.
Some other medications, like Champix (a medication used for smoking cessation) also contain a black box warning for suicidal ideations. .