title: Newer prophylactic agents for bipolar disorder and their influence on suicidality.
abstract: Different from lithium, there is little known so far on the effect of (newer) anticonvulsants on suicidality in bipolar patients. We evaluated data of 128 patients with bipolar disorders for suicidal ideation. These patients were treated with various mood-stabilizing medications for at least 3 months. No suicide attempt or completed suicide occurred in this cohort during prospective follow up for an average of 13.3 +/- 12.1 years. Compared to lithium, the relative risk of suicidal ideation was numerically slightly higher for valproate, carbamazepine and a small group treated with either levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine or topiramate, but lower in patients treated with lamotrigine, without reaching statistical significance. Confounding variables in more intensive care of these patients participating in a naturalistic study may blur small differences and contribute to a generally favorable outcome.
authors: Psychiatrische Klinik der LMU, München.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Born
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Dittmann
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Post
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Grunze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents