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A group of drugs used to treat epilepsy, bipolar and mood disorder have been linked to a twofold increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Analysis Reveals Risk
In a large-scale analysis of 199 clinical trials and more than 43,000 patients, federal regulators discovered a 0.43 percent risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in those on drug therapy and a 0.22 percent risk in those taking a placebo.
There were 27,863 patients in the drug therapy group, and among those there were four suicides and 105 reports of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. No suicides were reported in the placebo group of 16,029 patients and 35 reports of suicidal symptoms.
Risk Starts Early, Higher in Epileptics
According to the FDA, the risks were higher among epileptics than in those taking the drugs for bipolar or mood disorder. The agency also said the increased risk was seen in some patients as early as one week after the start of therapy.
The drugs, which are sometimes prescribed to treat headaches or chronic pain, include Neurontin, Depakote, Topamax, Lyrica, Lamictal, and Keppra.
(Source: New York Times)
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