Psychotropic Drugs in Suicidal Patients: a Comparison of Psychotropic Medications in Attempters and Completed Suicides

The correlation between suicide rate & aspects of treatment have been little studied in spite of medicalization of suicide. This study compares the medication of 30 patients who committed suicide during 1980-89 from a catchment area in rural Ireland with 20 who attempted suicide in a neighboring area where there were no suicides. More drugs had been given to patients who completed suicide & they received higher doses of neuroleptics & benzodiazepines than those who attemtped suicide. (11 refs.)