How Community Pharmacists can help patients on Antidepressants at risk for suicides and sexual dysfunction

Widespread use of antidepressant drugs has led to suicidal attempts and sexual dysfunction among adolescent psychiatric patients.[1] Patients usually complain for delayed ejaculation and libido loss with SSRIs group specifically. [2] Although in premature ejaculation these drugs have significant impact, but still they are risky for many patients; if they are not well aware of the considerable side effects these drugs carry along. Adolescents are usually victimized by such side effects like suicidal intents, non-compliance, drug denial and this may ultimately result in behavioral disorders.[3] Educating the patient and his relatives regarding these potential side effectsis very necessary for the pharmacist.[4] The mortality rate of adolescents with depression is highly contributed by these side effects. The foremost culprit for adolescent mortality was tricyclic and SSRI’s use in the US.[2,4] So application of appropriate actions is need of the day while prescribing these drugs.[5-6]