BACKGROUND:

The safety and tolerability of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and the newer atypical agents have led to a significant increase in antidepressant use. These changes raise concern as to the likelihood of a corresponding increase in adverse behavioral reactions attributable to these drugs.

METHOD:

All admissions to a university-based general hospital psychiatric unit during a 14-month period were reviewed.

RESULTS:

Forty-three (8.1%) of 533 patients were found to have been admitted owing to antidepressant-associated mania or psychosis.

CONCLUSION:

Despite the positive changes in the side effect profile of antidepressant drugs, the rate of admissions due to antidepressant-associated adverse behavioral effects remains significant.