Antidepressants and the risk of suicide in young persons – prescription trends and toxicological analyses. (17th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isacsson, G.; Ahlner, J.
• Is Part Of: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica. Volume 129:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2013-06-17
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.12160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-690X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="acps12160-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="acps12160-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To assess trends in the use of antidepressants among young suicides after the warning that these drugs might increase the risk of suicide.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12160-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Individual data of all 845 suicides in the 10‐ to 19‐year age group in Sweden in the time period 1992–2003 (baseline), and in 2004–2010 (after the warning). Outcome data are prescriptions of antidepressants prior to death and detections of antidepressants in <italic>post‐mortem</italic> toxicology.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12160-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>After the warning, suicide in this age group increased for five consecutive years (60.5%). The increase occurred among individuals not treated with antidepressants.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12160-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This study provides further support for the hypothesis that the warning, contrary to its intention, may have increased young suicides by leaving a number of suicidal young persons without treatment with antidepressants.</p> </sec> </abstract>