Anti-Depressant Drug Linked To Increase In Suicides
August 23rd, 2005 by RespiteMatch.com
Thousands of patients taking an anti-depressant have been put on alert after
the drug was linked to a worrying rise in suicides. Seroxat has been the subject
of previous warnings that it may make children more suicidal, but researchers
now say that should be extended to adults.
Researchers analysed the results of 16 trials involving the drug paroxetine
(Seroxat)-one in a class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs) - used by adult patients. Experts have already warned that
the drug is not suitable for children and adolescents due to an increased risk of
suicidal thoughts.
Now the latest study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, suggests that
these warnings should also be extended to adults. But GlaxoSmithKline,
makers of Seroxat, said it own extensive research showed that the benefits of
using the medication outweighed the risks.
Last year the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA)
Committee on Safety of Medicines reviewed the safety of SSRIs. Their report
concluded that a modest increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm
for SSRIs could not be ruled out, but the benefits for adults outweighed the
risks.
In the latest study researchers from the University of Oslo looked at trials
involving patients given either paroxetine or a dummy pill. Dr Ivar Aursnes and
colleagues carried out a statistical analysis of all the results, taking into
account the length of time patients were on the drugs.
The studies included 916 patients on paroxetine and 550 patients on placebo.
Overall the researchers found there were seven suicide attempts in the group
on paroxetine, and only one in the placebo group.
They concluded: “Patients and doctors should be warned that the increased
suicidal activity observed in children and adolescents taking certain
antidepressant drugs may well be present also in adults.”
The researchers added: “We also conclude that the recommendation of
restrictions in the use of paroxetine in children and adolescents conveyed by
regulatory agencies lately should include usage in adults.”
A GlaxoSmithKline spokesman said: “We take the safety of all our medicines
extremely seriously and will, of course, review this study carefully when it
becomes available.
“At this stage, it’s not clear what method the researchers have used to arrive at
these numbers or which clinical trials they have selected.
“However, we can say that these conclusions in no way reflect the picture that
has been built up about the benefits and risks of paroxetine in adults through
an extensive clinical trials programme involving 24,000 patients or through the
use of this medicine in tens of millions of people around the world.”
The spokesman also said that the European Union’s regulatory authority’s own
review had concluded that the benefit to risk ratio for paroxetine in adults
continued to be positive.
“Paroxetine is an important medicine designed to treat serious psychiatric
diseases that cause many thousands of premature and often preventable
deaths around the world every year.
