Journal Top Ten, Columns-Drugs & Supplements, January 2005

ARTICLE: 'Suicide Risk During Antidepressant Treatment'

JOURNAL: American Journal of Psychiatry 163:41-47, January 2006

OBJECTIVE: In March 2004, the FDA warned physicians and patients regarding increased risk of suicide with 10 newer antidepressant drugs. Available data leave considerable uncertainty regarding actual risk of suicide attempt and death by suicide during antidepressant treatment. The authors used population-based data to evaluate the risk of suicide death and serious suicide attempt in relation to initiation of antidepressant treatment.

METHOD: Computerized health plan records were used to identify 65,103 patients with 82,285 episodes …