Suicide Risk in Bipolar Disorder During Treatment With Lithium and Divalproex

The authors compare risk of suicide attempt & suicide death during treatment with lithium with that during treatment with divalproex using a retrospective cohort study conducted at 2 large integrated health plans in California & Washington. In both plans, unadjusted rates were greater during treatment with divalproex than during treatment with lithium for emergency department suicide attempt, suicide attempt resulting in hospitalization, & suicide death. Risk for suicide death was 2.7 times higher during treatment with divalproex than with lithium. (46 refs)