Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Seena Fazel of Oxford University Department of Psychiatry led a team of researchers in a unique study which aimed to avoid confounding factors by comparing the same individuals' behaviour while they were on and while they were off medication.

Young people taking antidepressants such as Prozac and Seroxat are significantly more likely to commit violent crimes when they are on the medication, but taking higher doses of the drugs appears to reduce that risk, scientists said on Tuesday.

In research published in the PLoS Medicine journal, the scientists said that while their finding of a link does not prove that such drugs cause people to be more violent, further studies should be conducted and extra warnings may be needed in future when they are prescribed to people aged 15 to 24.

 

Read more from Reuters News 

Read the edited research paper published in PLOS magazine

The Times: Depression drugs linked to violence

Daily Mail: Young people on antidepressant pills 'are more likely to be violent'

The Daily Telegraph: Violent crime 'more common' in young antidepressant users

Los Angeles Times: Rx for violence? Crime risk rises for young people on antidepressants, study says

The Guardian online: Young people on antidepressants more prone to violence, study finds

Huffington Post UK: Young People Who Take Prozac As Antidepressant ‘43% More Likely To Be Convicted Of Violent Crimes’

Globe & Mail online (Canada): Young people taking antidepressants more prone to violence

DNA India online: New study finds young people on antidepressants more prone to violence

India Times online: Antidepressants Likely To Make The Young More Prone To Violence Says Researchers

Fox News online (USA): Study finds young people on antidepressants more prone to violence

Japan Times online: Study finds young people on antidepressants more prone to violence

Huffington Post (USA): How To Interpret That Study Linking Violence And Antidepressants

NIHR OXFORD HEALTH BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE NEWS

Please follow the link below to read the news on the NIHR BRC website.