Antidepressants Linked to Suicide Risk Flagged in 40 Coroners’ Reports

The medications sertraline and citalopram, prescribed to millions, have been repeatedly cited in prevention of future deaths reports, raising concerns about inadequate risk warnings.

Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, died by suicide after being prescribed the antidepressants sertraline and citalopram, as well as a sleep aid.
Coroners have flagged these medications in at least 40 prevention of future deaths (PFD) reports since 2016, citing inadequate communication of suicide risks and failures in patient monitoring.
Instances include young adults and others who took their own lives shortly after starting or adjusting doses of these drugs, often without being warned of potential side effects.
Experts and coroners have called for clearer warnings, such as a 'black box' label, to better inform patients about the risks of suicidal ideation associated with these medications.
Calls have been made for systemic reforms to address gaps in acting on coroners’ PFD reports, which often go unheeded, leaving preventable risks unaddressed.