Suicidal Behavior and Psychotropic Medications for Adolescents: An Uneasy Association, as Yet Not Clarified

Abstract

Despite considerable recent attention and wide-scale interventions by regulatory authorities that have changed drug usage patterns, the possible relationship between psychotropic pharmacotherapy and suicidal behavior among children and adolescents remains unclear. Confounding by diagnosis adds to confusion in the interpretation of the relationship between antidepressant use and suicidal behavior among young people. Recent research suggests that antidepressants may be protective against early readmission after hospitalization for suicide attempts or ideation, but that psychotropic polypharmacy (although common) may be associated with increased risk of rehospitalization. There remains an urgent need for high-quality, ongoing research into these clinical dilemmas.