Suicidal Thoughts, Behavior Associated with Antidepressants Decrease with Age

By Keely Hyslop

Published on December 12, 2006

A review of 372 studies involving 100,000 patients and 11 antidepressants discovered an increased risk in suicidal thoughts and behavior among patients who were taking antidepressants and were also between the ages of 18 and 25. By contrast, the same study found a possible decreased risk of suicidal thoughts in patients who were between the ages of 25 and 64 and were taking antidepressants. The results for the effect that antidepressant use had on the older age group were mixed and thus labeled as neutral.

As a consequence of the study, new warnings regarding young adult use will likely be added to Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, and other antidepressant medications included in the study. The new labeling will likely take place as soon as the FDA finishes consulting with outside sources regarding the findings. The study came as a follow up to the discovery of a strong correlation between antidepressant use and suicidal thoughts and behavior among children. Prominent warning labels regarding pediatric risk of suicidal tendencies are already in place on all antidepressant packaging.

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