A recent study has found that adults with depression who start treatment with newer antipsychotic drugs may face a higher risk of death compared to those who are given a second antidepressant instead. This finding raises new concerns about how depression is treated and the safety of some widely prescribed medications.
Depression is a serious mental health condition that often requires long-term treatment. Usually, doctors begin by prescribing an antidepressant. If that first medication doesn’t help, the next step might be to try a different antidepressant or add another drug to improve its effects.
In some cases, doctors prescribe newer antipsychotic drugs, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel), or olanzapine (Zyprexa), to help manage symptoms.
While these antipsychotics can help some people, they also come with significant health risks. They can cause weight gain, high blood sugar, cholesterol problems, and now, according to this study, they may even increase the risk of death—especially in adults under 65 with depression.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE and conducted by researchers from Rutgers University and Columbia University, looked at data from more than 39,000 Medicaid patients aged 25 to 64. These patients had been treated between 2001 and 2010. All of them started with one antidepressant but later needed more help managing their symptoms.
Researchers divided the patients into two groups. One group added a second antidepressant, while the other group began taking an antipsychotic along with their antidepressant.
The results were striking: the group that took an antipsychotic had a 45% higher risk of death than the group that took a second antidepressant. To put it simply, for every 265 peoplewho took antipsychotics for one year, there was one additional death compared to those on a second antidepressant.
Why does this matter? Because these drugs are often prescribed too early. Clinical guidelines suggest that patients should try a single antidepressant for at least four to six weeks before adding another drug. But in the real world, some doctors prescribe antipsychotics sooner than they should—possibly exposing patients to unnecessary risks before exploring safer options.
It’s already known that older adults with dementia face a much higher risk of death when they take antipsychotics. This study suggests that the risk might also apply to younger adults with depression, even though they are generally healthier.
The takeaway from this study is clear: doctors and patients should be cautious when considering antipsychotics for depression. These drugs should be used only when other, safer options have failed. Patients should feel empowered to ask questions, weigh the risks and benefits, and take an active role in decisions about their treatment.
This research is a reminder that more is not always better when it comes to medication. In the effort to treat depression, safety must remain a top priority—and that means being careful about which drugs are prescribed, when, and why.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
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