BMJ 2004;329 (3 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7456.0-e
Do antidepressants reduce suicide?
The balance between risks and benefits of antidepressants is not clear. Reviewing available data on these drugs, Gunnel and Ashby (p 34) found it hard to find direct evidence that antidepressants prevent suicide. Most trials are underpowered to detect a difference in the risk of suicide, and time trends analysis of suicide rates at population level are used as a surrogate measure. Suicides rates have fallen in recent years, but this may not be due to use of antidepressants, say the authors; future trials should be sufficiently long to detect longer term benefits and harms, and should systematically collect data on suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
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Credit: BERTRAND DEMEE/PHOTONICA
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- Antidepressants and suicide: what is the balance of benefit and harm
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BMJ 2004 329: 34-38.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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