Antidepressants are almost as lethal as cocaine

Antidepressants are the most dangerous prescription drugs and are almost as lethal as cocaine.

The drugs are killing 21 people for every million taking them, while cocaine’s death rate is 29 per million.

Most of the antidepressant deaths are the result of drug poisoning, according to figures from the UK’s Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The second most lethal drug group are the benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, which are responsible for 18 deaths per million.  The drugs are routinely prescribed for anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, but can quickly become addictive as higher doses are needed as the body builds tolerance.

New psychoactive substances (NPS)—which are legally available and are designed to replicate the effects of illicit substances such as ecstasy and LSD—kill nine people per million.

Paracetamol—which can be found in most homes—is the fourth most lethal medicine, responsible for nearly eight deaths per million.  

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