Which statement best describes a known warning associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Which statement best describes a known warning associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

• A. Increased suicidal ideation in some patients
• B. Severe liver toxicity
• C. Kidney failure
• D. Dependence risk

Answer: (A)

SSRIs come with a safety warning about suicidality in some patients, especially children, adolescents, and young adults, and particularly during the first weeks of treatment or after dose changes. The antidepressant effect can take time to improve mood, while energy or agitation may rise early on, which can unmask or enable suicidal thoughts or behaviors in someone whose depression is severe. For this reason, close monitoring is essential during the initial treatment period and after any dose adjustment, with timely changes to therapy if signs of worsening depression or suicidality appear. The other potential issues listed aren’t the primary safety signal associated with SSRIs. Severe liver toxicity and kidney failure aren’t standard, well-publicized warnings for this class, and dependence risk isn’t the typical concern with SSRIs (though stopping them abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms).

SSRIs come with a safety warning about suicidality in some patients, especially children, adolescents, and young adults, and particularly during the first weeks of treatment or after dose changes. The antidepressant effect can take time to improve mood, while energy or agitation may rise early on, which can unmask or enable suicidal thoughts or behaviors in someone whose depression is severe. For this reason, close monitoring is essential during the initial treatment period and after any dose adjustment, with timely changes to therapy if signs of worsening depression or suicidality appear.

The other potential issues listed aren’t the primary safety signal associated with SSRIs. Severe liver toxicity and kidney failure aren’t standard, well-publicized warnings for this class, and dependence risk isn’t the typical concern with SSRIs (though stopping them abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms).