People taking SSRI may be twice as likely to attempt suicide

Reuters Bureau 17. feb. 2005 :

People taking popular Prozac-type antidepressants may be twice as likely to attempt suicide than those on placebo and the risks are particularly high early in treatment, according to research released on Friday. The British Medical Journal, which published results from three studies on selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), said the findings underlined the need for caution in using the medicines.

Det engelske tidsskrift Britsh Medical Journal har publiseret 3 undersøgelser der viser at mennesker der bruger de nye typer anti-depressiva (SSRI-præparater), som for eksempel Fontex, Seroxat etc., har en højere risiko for selvmordsforsøg, men at sandsynligheden for at de udfør selvmordet ikke er højere.

Articles from Britsh Medical Journal:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and suicide in adults: meta-analysis of drug company data from placebo controlled, randomised controlled trials submitted to the MHRA’s safety review BMJ 2005;330:385 (19 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7488.385 (Paper).

Antidepressant treatment and the risk of fatal and non-fatal self harm in first episode depression: nested case-control study BMJ 2005;330:389 (19 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7488.389 (Paper).

Association between suicide attempts and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: systematic review of randomised controlled trials BMJ 2005;330:396 (19 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7488.396 (Primary care).

Suicide, depression, and antidepressants: Patients and clinicians need to balance benefits and harms. BMJ 2005;330:373-374 (19 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7488.373 (Editorial)