Relationship between prescribed psychotropic medications and co-ingested alcohol in intentional self-poisonings

Abstract

Background: Acute alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for suicide, therefore investigating factors associated with alcohol-related self-harm warrant attention. Aims: To investigate the influence of prescribed psychotropic medications on the odds of coingesting alcohol preceding or during intentional efforts to self-poison. Method: A cross-sectional analysis of consecutive hospital presentations following intentional self-poisoning was conducted. A total of 7270 patients (4363 women) aged 18-96 were included. Results: The odds of alcohol coingestion were increased in those not prescribed any medication (odds ratio (OR)= 1.27, 99% CI 1.10-1.46, P50.001) and in impulsive self-poisonings (OR= 1.39, 99% CI 1.11-1.74, P50.001). Odds were decreased in those prescribed anticonvulsants (OR=0.69, 99% CI 0.51-0.93), antipsychotics (OR =0.55, 99% CI 0.45-0.66) and antidepressants (OR= 0.87, 99% CI 0.77-0.99). Conclusions: Findings indicate that being medicated for a psychiatric illness may reduce the likelihood of alcohol consumption during times of acute distress, hence perhaps may reduce the risk of intentional self-poisoning.