Antidepressants were found in 19.0% of female and 4.8% of male suicides, with victims using their own prescribed antidepressants in 77.4% of cases.
Observational (n=1,348)
Yes
What is the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in suicides, and what is the relative suicide risk for different drugs?
The study highlights that undertreatment of depression is a major challenge for suicide prevention, and victims often use their own prescribed antidepressants for suicide.
BACKGROUND: Alcohol and drugs use were assessed in a nationwide one year suicide study in Finland. METHOD: Alcohol and drugs use were analysed in 1348 suicides, 96.5% of all suicides in the study year. Relative suicide risks for drugs were defined by relating the number of suicides committed by use of various drugs to drug availability. RESULTS: Alcohol was detected twice as often in men as in women; the opposite was the case with drugs. The drugs most commonly used for suicide were neuroleptics and antidepressants, which were, in 74.3% and 77.4% of the cases, respectively, the victims own prescribed drugs. Antidepressants were found in 19.0% of women and only 4.8% of men. Relative suicide risk for antidepressants varied substantially between different compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Undertreatment of depression is a challenge for suicide prevention. Those who commit suicide by antidepressants use their own drugs. Relative suicide risk for a drug should be considered when choosing treatment for depressive patients.
Öhberg et al. (1996) conducted an observational in Suicide (n=1,348). Alcohol and drugs was evaluated on Alcohol and drugs use. Antidepressants were found in 19.0% of female and 4.8% of male suicides, with victims using their own prescribed antidepressants in 77.4% of cases.