Summary:
In the 99 studies reviewed, patients taking any of the 11 medications listed above had a risk of 0.43% of suicidal behavior or ideation compared to 0.22% of the placebo group. Yes, that translates to nearly a double risk, but look at those numbers and the decimal points carefully. They translate to 2.2 people out of 1,000 in the placebo groups and 4.3 people out of 1,000 in the groups taking the medications. Keep things in perspective and notify your doctor of any possible problems.
____________
Sources:
FDA MedWatch. "Antiepileptic Drugs- FDA Analysis Showed Patients Receiving Antiepileptic Drugs Had Approximately Twice The Risk of Suicidal Behavior Or Ideation." January 31, 2008.
FDA. "Information for Healthcare Professionals Suicidality and Antiepileptic Drugs." January 31, 2008.
Dooren, Jennifer Corbett. "Suicidal-Thoughts Risk Is Linked to Drugs Used to Treat Epilepsy." The Wall Street Journal. February 1, 2008.
© Teri Robert, 2008.
Last updated February 1, 2008.
