Drug Withdrawal

British health officials issued yet another warning about antidepressant drugs last week. The same authorities, citing increased risk of suicide, advised last year against giving so-called SSRIs — except Prozac — to youths under 18. This time the counsel is aimed at adults. Doctors must now inform patients about withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and nausea, associated with SSRIs and closely monitor patients — especially young adults — for suicidal behavior when they begin drug treatment or change dosages. Doctors were also cautioned not to prescribe the drugs for mild depression without first trying talk therapy or other interventions. Finally, regulators issued a special warning about another kind of antidepressant, Effexor, saying it can cause irregular heartbeat and should be prescribed only by specialists.