Suicidality, depression screening, and antiepileptic drugs: reaction to the FDA alert.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reaction of neurology practitioners to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alert concerning suicidality (suicidal ideation or behavior) and antiepileptic drugs.


METHODS
We designed a 21-question survey asking about the participants' approach to suicidality and depression in patients with epilepsy (PWE), and their reaction to the FDA alert and its impact on their clinical practices. Participants (n = 780) were invited via e-mail to respond to a Zoomerang survey. Two reminders were sent to increase the response.


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 175 participants (22%). Most were epilepsy specialists practicing in academic settings. Almost 62% did not use any scale to routinely screen for depression in PWE. For those who used a scale, the Beck Depression Inventory was the most used one. About 42% did not feel comfortable initiating treatment for depression. Although 98% warn about behavioral side effects when starting antiepileptic drugs, only 44% warn specifically about suicidal ideations or behavior. More than half were not aware of patients who attempted to commit suicide or who had committed suicide. The mean scores for the FDA alert clarity, appropriateness, and impact on clinical practice (on a scale from 1 to 10) were low, at 5.3, 4.1, and 3.6. Almost 46% did not feel the alert is going to change their practice.


CONCLUSIONS
The Food and Drug Administration alert did not get a favorable score from the surveyed responders. Participants actively alert patients about behavioral side effects of antiepileptic drugs, but are not specific about suicide.
Shneker
Bassel F
BF
Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. shneker.1@osu.edu
Cios
Jacquelyne S
JS
Elliott
John O
JO
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D000927:Anticonvulsants