Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information he holds on the effect of antidepressant use on suicidal ideation and behaviour.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) holds details of the suspected side effects of antidepressants, such as suicidal ideation and behaviour reported through the Yellow Card scheme. The MHRA also has access to information from clinical studies and published literature as well as periodic safety update reports produced by the licence holders.

This is used to monitor the safety of these medicines and ensure the product information provides appropriate guidance to prescribers and patients. The guidance currently includes advice about the risk of suicide and the need for close supervision of patients and advises that patients and their caregivers should be alerted to monitor any changes in mood or behaviour and to seek medical advice immediately.