A study consisting of 2,800 adults and children that involved the evaluation of four antidepressants, found that these drugs were more likely to lead to suicidal tendencies during the initial days when patients were placed on the medication. The study, however, didn't reveal any distinctions in risk between newer and older medications.

Results of the Study

• Suicidal thoughts or attempts were four times more likely to occur during the initial 10 days of being put on the antidepressant than after three months of taking the medication
• The likelihood of suicide was 40 times higher in the early stages of treatment
• 17 participants of the study committed suicide and were all over the age of 19
  

Some doctors argued that the suicide attempts were the result of the medication supplying a depressed person with just enough energy to follow through on the suicidal thoughts they may have already been having.

Relatives of the suicide victims on the other hand disagreed and blamed the medications themselves for the suicide attempts.

Experts claimed that the majority of serotonin-affecting antidepressants weren't safe for children to take. Evidence of the potential dangers of these antidepressants in children could be seen in the lawsuit placed against the manufacturers of Paxil. The lawsuit was the result of concealing studies showing that the drug caused potential suicidal tendencies in children. The FDA has also taken a closer examination of antidepressants and has begun an investigation of 10 antidepressant drugs. They are proposing that these drugs include stronger warning labels detailing possible risks associated with the medication.

KDKA July 20, 2004