A new study from Rutgers University and Columbia University has found that some newer antipsychotic medicines may raise the risk of death in adults with depression. This is a serious concern for both doctors and patients.
The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE and led by researcher Tobias Gerhard and his team. They wanted to understand if adding antipsychotic drugs to depression treatment could be more dangerous than simply using another antidepressant.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. Usually, people start treatment with one antidepressant. But if it doesn’t help, doctors often try other options. Some doctors may switch to a different antidepressant or add another medication. One common option is to add a newer antipsychotic like aripiprazole, quetiapine, or olanzapine.
These antipsychotic drugs can help some people, but they also have serious side effects. For example, they have been linked to a higher chance of death in older adults with dementia. The researchers wanted to see if younger adults with depression faced similar risks.
They looked at data from nearly 40,000 Medicaid patients aged 25 to 64, collected from 2001 to 2010. They used records from the National Death Index to track how many people died in each group. One group of patients added another antidepressant after their first one didn’t work. The second group added an antipsychotic drug instead.
The results were alarming. People who took an antipsychotic had a 45% higher chance of dying than those who added another antidepressant. For every 265 people who took an antipsychotic for one year, one extra person died due to the drug.
This raises important questions. Many patients may be getting antipsychotics too early—before fully trying other safer options. Antidepressants can take four to six weeks to work, but sometimes patients are switched too quickly. This might put people at unnecessary risk.
The researchers say doctors should be very careful when prescribing antipsychotics for depression. These drugs should only be used when other, safer treatments have already been tried and haven’t worked.
The study also says more research is needed to fully understand these risks. A randomized controlled trial—where people are randomly given one treatment or another—could give stronger answers.
For people with depression, this study is a reminder to ask questions and talk openly with their doctors. There may be safer options to try before turning to antipsychotic drugs. For doctors, the message is clear: follow treatment guidelines and be cautious with medications that carry serious risks.
In the end, the goal is to help people feel better without putting their lives in danger. By taking a thoughtful and careful approach, doctors can help ensure better, safer care for their patients.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health.
For more mental health information, please see recent studies about top foods to tame your stress, and Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
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