Question:
In adults with depression, what is the association between antidepressant use and suicidal behaviours?
Answer:
Evidence from one good quality
systematic review and one large, well conducted, nested casecontrol
study suggests that, whilst selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor
(SSRI)/antidepressant use was associated with reduced suicide risk
in adults and older adults, it may be associated with increased
risk in children and young adults. Data from the case-control
analysis also indicated that, in people treated with
antidepressants, periods of treatment initiation, discontinuation
and dose change were all associated with increased suicide risk.
Given the complexity of the issue of confounding when exploring the
relationship between antidepressant use and suicide risk, further
large scale studies, particularly looking at antidepressant groups
other than SSRIs, may be useful to confirm and expand upon these
findings.
To view the full summary, click the Download Document
link to the right.
To view relevant national guidelines, click Related
Links, below.