Suicide risk in teens not dependent on antidepressant type
23 April 2010
The risk of suicide in children who begin taking antidepressants is similar in the first year regardless of the type of antidepressant medicine used, researchers say (Pediatrics 2010; 125: 876-88).
A Canadian study of 20,906 children aged 10-18 years found 266 attempted suicides and 3 completed suicides during the first year of antidepressant use — about 5 times the usual rate among teens aged 13-17 years, according to the data.
No “clinically meaningful” difference was found in the risk of suicide regardless of the type of antidepressant medicine used, the authors said. (Antidepressants used included selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).)
The authors concluded that the findings support the decision of the US Food and Drug Administration to include all antidepressants in the warning regarding potentially increased risk of suicide for children and teenagers starting use of antidepressants.
| National Helplines | |
|---|---|
| If you or someone you know is depressed and/or having suicidal thoughts, see your doctor, or phone one of these helplines. | |
| Lifeline (24 hours) | 13 11 14 |
| Kids Helpline (under 18 years of age) | 1800 55 1800 |
| Just Ask - rural mental health information | 1300 13 11 14 |
| Mensline Australia (24 hours) | 1300 78 99 78 |
| SANE Helpline - mental illness information, support and referral | 1800 18 SANE (7263) |
Last Reviewed: 23 April 2010
- 1. Schneeweiss S, Patrick AR , Solomon DH, et al. Comparative safety of antidepressant agents for children and adolescents regarding suicidal acts. Pediatrics 2010; 125: 876-88. Abstract available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-2317v1
