Suicide Risk From 11 Epilepsy Drugs

FDA Warns That Epilepsy Drugs May Double Risk of Suicidal Behavior, Thoughts

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

Jan 31, 2008 -- The FDA warns that 11 epilepsy drugs double a person's risk of suicidal behavior or thoughts, although the overall risk remains small.

The warning comes from an FDA analysis of suicidality -- suicidal behavior or thoughts -- in placebo-controlled studies of 11 drugs known collectively as "antiepileptics." The drugs are used to control seizures and to help control the symptoms of some psychiatric disorders.

"All patients who are currently taking or starting on any antiepileptic drug should be closely monitored for notable changes in behavior that could indicate the emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior or depression," the FDA warned in a letter to health professionals.

In the clinical trials, patients receiving inactive placebo pills had a 0.22% incidence of suicidality. Those receiving the epilepsy drugs had a 0.43% incidence of suicidality -- twice that of placebo recipients, but still a very small risk.

The drugs were relatively more likely to be linked to suicidality when used to treat epilepsy than when used to treat psychiatric disorders or other conditions.

The 11 drugs cited by the FDA are:

• carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)
• felbamate (marketed as Felbatol)
• gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin)
• lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal)
• levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra)
• oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal)
• pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica)
• tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril)
• topiramate (marketed as Topamax)
• valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon)
• zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran)

Some of these drugs are available in generic forms.

SOURCES: FDA Alert: "Suicidality and Antiepileptic Drugs," Jan. 31, 2008.

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