The Negative Impact of Antipsychotics on Psychotic Depression Outcomes

Adding antipsychotic drugs to antidepressant treatment for people with psychotic depression increases the risk of death and rehospitalization, according to a study. The research challenges the common practice of combining antipsychotics with antidepressants as a first-line intervention for psychotic depression. The study found that after two years, those receiving combination therapy had a higher rate of readmission or death by suicide compared to those on antidepressants alone. The results suggest that antipsychotics may not prevent relapses and may even increase the risk. The study also found that combination therapy was particularly dangerous for young people. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of antipsychotics in the maintenance phase of psychotic unipolar depression.