Patients prescribed antidepressants in England will receive more prominent warnings about the risks of suicidal behaviour and sexual dysfunction, following concerns raised by coroners and families about insufficient information on side effects. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced a series of measures aimed at improving patient awareness, including updated leaflets and additional safety materials in medicine packages.
These changes come amid four reports issued by coroners highlighting issues with the prescribing or safety information of antidepressants. One notable case involved Thomas Kingston, 45, who died in 2024. Kingston was the husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. The Gloucestershire coroner’s court considered whether the risks of suicide linked to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—a common class of antidepressants—were adequately communicated. At the time of his death, Kingston had been prescribed sertraline, an SSRI, and zopiclone, a sleeping tablet, by a GP at the Royal Mews Surgery at Buckingham Palace.
Kingston’s parents, Martin and Jill Kingston, emphasized that both patients and their families should receive clearer information about potential side effects associated with these medications. SSRIs, which include drugs such as citalopram, sertraline, and fluoxetine, represent about 85 percent of antidepressant prescriptions in the UK.
In response, the MHRA plans to update patient information leaflets to make safety information more accessible. This will include the introduction of a new patient safety card to be included with medicine packaging, reinforcing key warnings. Additionally, materials will now incorporate the term “post-SSRI sexual dysfunction,” acknowledging the risk that sexual side effects may persist after treatment ends. The MHRA is also developing a supplementary safety leaflet to be provided during patients’ initial consultations about antidepressants.
Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA, highlighted the importance of informed decision-making for patients. She stated that antidepressants remain effective treatments for depression and other conditions and that, when properly supervised, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. Dr Cave stressed the aim was not to discourage the use of these medications but to increase the clarity and prominence of existing safety warnings. She also urged patients not to discontinue treatment without first consulting their healthcare providers.
The new measures underline an ongoing effort to balance the therapeutic benefits of antidepressants with transparent communication about possible dangers, reflecting concerns raised from recent deaths and broader public health discussions.