Is There Evidence for Negative Effects of Antidepressants on Suicidality in Depressive Patients? A Systematic Review

This paper gives a systematic & comprehensive review of the empirical data which might indicate that antidepressants have negative effects on suicidality. First, principal methodological issues related to this research question are discussed. Thereafter, the results of controlled trials & epidemiological & cohort studies are presented. Altogether, there seems to be only a small amount of evidence from different research approaches that antidepressants, not only serotonin reuptake inhibitors, might induce, aggravate, or increase the risk of suicide ideation & suicide attempts. As to suicide, there are no hints in this direction. (119 refs.) JA