Antiepileptic Drugs and Suicidality (August 2009)

FDA is alerting healthcare professionals that the labeling for antiepileptic drugs will now warn that patients taking these drugs have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.

The warnings are based on FDA's analysis of placebo-controlled clinical studies of eleven drugs used to treat epilepsy, psychiatric disorders and other conditions. In this analysis, the risk was approximately doubled in patients receiving the anti-epileptic drugs compared with those getting placebo -- 0.43% vs. 0.22%.

The following drugs were included in the analyses:

Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)
Felbamate (marketed as Felbatol)
Gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin)
Lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal)
Levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra)
Oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal)
Pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica)
Tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril)
Topiramate (marketed as Topamax)
Valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon)
Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran)

The increased risk was seen as early as one week after starting therapy and continued through 24 weeks. And it was generally consistent for all eleven drugs in the analysis, and across a range of indications. This suggests that this risk applies to all antiepileptic drugs when they're used for any indication - even those that weren't part of the analysis.

Healthcare professionals should closely monitor all patients starting or taking antiepileptic drugs. They should be alert to changes in behavior that could signal an emerging or worsening of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior. Patients will also be given Medication Guides explaining these risks each time their prescriptions are dispensed.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Antiepileptic Drugs
• Suicidality
• FDA
• Carbamazepine
• Carbatrol
• Equetro
• Tegretol
• Felbamate
• Felbatol
• Gabapentin
• Neurontin
• Lamotrigine
• Lamictal
• Levetiracetam
• Keppra
• Oxcarbazepine
• Trileptal
• Pregabalin
• Lyrica
• Tiagabine
• Gabitril
• Topiramate
• Topamax
• Valproate
• Depakote
• Depakene
• Depacon
• Zonisamide
• Zonegran
• Patient Safety

[FlashmoreGash]

@Apollyon511 lol

[Prutssupercat]

*takes deep breath* what the hell would i do WITHOUT the medications!!!!!!! 

[Apollyon511]

Fucking jews

[darthrudious]

I know my epilepsy will be the death of me. Not because of a seizure but because of the side effects of the meds I take...

[invisiblenomore]

As for Topiramate it is generic Topomax..and I have been on that and Tegratol and Keppra and Dilantin...not to say that people cannot become suicidal from AED's but this "warning" is premised on weak research and the public deserves to know EXACTLY the data and break it down so it is seen clearly..

[invisiblenomore]

This is hardly a good thing to say..as someone with epilepsy I have been on many AED's and this "study" is not very good. The study needs to be picked apart so that people with epilepsy understand the actual research...many people with epilepsy get depressed because the seizures cause a loss in quality of life and mobility and side effects in general. How do you determine if the "depression" is due to other factors and not the medication? This study is not a very good one in my opinion..

[labluemuse]

Reaction to drugs speaks volumes, Lasting effect priceless.

[ReviewCam]

@lesliegg1961 I haven't heard of topiramate used for MS but another seizure drug, Keppra is used in MS to treat muscle spasms.

[lesliegg1961]

my friend was prescribed topiramate suppposedly for pain management, has ANYONE ever heard of this drug used for that? She has MS but no headaches or seizures

[kellyasp52]

I did not have suicidal thoughts on Depakote. I do have them on tegretol. The difference is 30lbs. I am risking my life for 30 freakin pounds.