Suicide risk and choice of antidepressant.
BACKGROUND
There is presently concern that patients treated for depression with venlafaxine have a higher suicide rate than those treated with other antidepressants, based on results from observational studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether higher suicide risk, defined as previous suicide attempt or suicidal ideation, influenced the choice of antidepressant prescribed in an outpatient mental health unit, the Bedford East Community Mental Health Team.


METHODS
A database held by a the Community Mental Health Team was used to identify patients with Depression who have been treated with Venlafaxine, Citalopram, and patients diagnosed with bipolar II affective disorder. The data was analysed in terms of presence of suicide risk, gender, and whether bipolar II patients on venlafaxine were treated with mood stabilisers.


RESULTS
The results showed that a risk of suicide did not prevent the prescription of venlafaxine, that less venlafaxine was prescribed to male patients than females, and that bipolar II patients were indeed treated with mood stabilisers.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that in this Community Mental Health Team, the possibility of suicide risk with venlafaxine therapy is considered and appropriately managed.


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of bipolar disorder is likely to be the most effective step that we can take to reduce the risk of suicide in patients with bipolar disorder .Appropriate care regarding the judicious use of Venlafaxine as a first line treatment in Unipolar Depression is secondary to this.
Davis
Abigail
A
School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK.
Gilhooley
Michael
M
Agius
Mark
M
Zaman
Rashid
R
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D015283:Citalopram; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride