The Relationship Between Sales of SSRI, TCA and Suicide Rates in the Nordic Countries

This study examined whether the rapid increase in sales of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors & the corresponding decline in tricyclic antidepressants in the period 1990-1998 were associated with a decline in suicide rates in Denmark, Finland, Norway, & Sweden. Aggregated suicide rates for 1975-2006 were obtained & the sales figures for antidepressants were provided from the wholesale registers in each country. There was no statistical association between the increase of sales figures of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors & the decline in suicide rates. There also was no statistical association between the decrease in sales of tricyclic antidepressants & change in suicide rates. (28 refs.) JA