News: prescriptions

Prescribing of psychiatric drugs to Australian kids on the rise

Posted on Jan 31 2022 by Elisa Black

Australian doctors are prescribing more psychiatric drugs to children and adolescents, researchers from the University of Adelaide have found. This is despite the known risks of adverse effects in young people, and potential consequences for children’s developing brains and bodies.

Australian doctors prescribing benzos for longer periods than recommended

The study found that in new benzodiazepines and Z-drugs users, prescribing lasts 11 months on average, which is 11 times longer than the current recommendation of no more than 4 weeks.

Posted on Dec 23 2021 by Elisa Black

Australian doctors are prescribing benzodiazepines and Z-drugs for longer periods than recommended, researchers from the University of Adelaide have found.

Link between rising use of antidepressants and youth suicide

Black and white image of a young woman, eyes closed

Posted on Jun 9 2020 by Cathy Parker

New research from the University of Adelaide and Curtin University and has shown rates of antidepressant use and suicide by young Australians have risen sharply since 2009, raising concerns about the safety of current treatment practices, and the veracity of advice from Australian suicide prevention experts.