Some anti-depressants linked with higher rates of suicide in study

Research led by the University of Nottingham has suggested that certain types of anti-depressant tablets may be associated with an increase in suicide and self-harm in people aged 20 to 64 suffering from depression.

The study, funded by NIHR School for Primary Care Research (NIHR SPCR), found that compared with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatments, rates of suicide and self-harm were significantly higher in patients taking other commonly prescribed types of anti-depressants including venlafaxine, trazodone and mirtazapine.

The research led by Dr Carol Coupland, associate professor and reader in medical statistics in the university’s Division of Primary Care also found that rates of suicide and self-harm were highest in the first 28 days after starting antidepressants and remained increased in the first 28 days after stopping treatment.

Dr Coupland said: "Our study found that rates of suicide and self-harm were similar for patients prescribed SSRIs and tricyclic and related antidepressants, but were higher for some other types of antidepressants. However, these results may have been influenced by other factors including the severity of depression. It is also important to be mindful that the number of suicides and instances of attempted suicide and self-harm among patients were still relatively low.

“The results of our study indicate that more research into these potential links is warranted, but do suggest that the benefits and risks of different antidepressant treatments should be considered when antidepressants are prescribed and also that GPs should monitor patients carefully in the first four weeks of starting and stopping antidepressant treatment.”

Major consideration when treating depression
Depression is a common condition, affecting around 5% of the population of the UK. Rates of suicide and self-harm are greatly increased in people with depression and the reduction of these risks is a major consideration when treating patients with depression.

Although antidepressants have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, there is concern that the rates of suicide and self-harm may actually be increased by antidepressant use, particularly in younger people.

The study looked at 238,963 patients, aged 20 to 64 years and registered with UK GPs contributing data to the QResearch database, from first diagnosis of depression between January 2000 and July 2011 inclusive and followed through until August 2012.

The results showed that during follow up 87.7% of patients received one or more prescriptions for antidepressants, with a median treatment length of 221 days. During the first five years of follow up, the researchers found that there were 198 cases of suicide and 5,243 cases of attempted suicide or self-harm.

Compared with the commonly used SSRI antidepressants, there was no significant difference in the rate of suicide or self-harm for tricyclic and related antidepressants, one of the oldest classes of antidepressants which were commonly used before the introduction of SSRIs, but rates were significantly higher for treatment with other antidepressants.

Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox, co-author on the research paper and a GP, urged caution when considering the results implications for people with depression suggesting the increases "are still relatively small and need further research".

“While some patients currently taking these drugs may find these results concerning, stopping these medications without seeking medical advice could be dangerous," she added. "Anyone with any concerns should discuss them with their GP at their next appointment.”

Read the study in full at www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h517