A review of suicidality in nonpsychotropic medications

Abstract

Introduction: The term suicidality describes the multitude of behaviors related to suicide: suicidal ideation, self-injurious behavior, suicide attempt, and completed suicide. Risk factors associated with increased suicidality in individuals include specific demographics, medical and psychologic conditions, socioeconomic status, family history, and major life events. In addition to baseline risk factors, there have been reports of numerous medications associated with increased suicidality in patients. Most of these medications are antiepileptics and antidepressants. Because of the contradictory risk posed by the exact medications prescribed to treat depression and psychologic conditions, the nonpsychotropic medications with reports of suicidality are often overshadowed. Methods: Medications with FDA-issued warnings were reviewed for inclusion. Further medications were identified through PubMed literature review. Results: Eight medications with various indications were identified and evidence is assessed regarding risk of suicidality. Discussion: This review evaluates the current literature for nonpsychotropic medications that have been implicated in treatment-emergent suicidality.