Citation

Lapierre YD. J. Psychiatry Neurosci. 2003; 28(5): 340-347.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Canadian Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14517577

PMCID

PMC193980

Abstract

The red flags raised by the 1990 clinical reports of increased suicidality associated with treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine were followed by anecdotal reports of similar symptoms with other antidepressants of the same class. Recent discussions by Healy have argued in favour of a suicidogenic potential of the SSRIs. This paper reviews the relevant literature addressing the epidemiological data of Western populations and the data accumulated from clinical trial databases in several countries. The evidence currently available does not support the hypothesis that antidepressants or, more specifically, SSRIs cause increased suicidality in patients with depression, nor do they appear to do so in patients treated with these drugs for other reasons.

Language: en

Keywords

Antidepressive Agents; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fluoxetine; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Suicide