Pharmacotherapy in the Prevention of Suicidal Behavior

The efficacy of pharmacotherapy in reducing suicide attempts in patients with a history of repeated suicidal behavior has been shown with low doses of the flupenthixol compared with placebo. Supporting findings have been reported with trifluoperazine. However, some antidepressants may not be neutral in their effect on suicidal behavior. Maprotiline is associated with an increase in suicide attempts. The suicide-provoking potential of drugs such as this may relate to some noradrenergic property.