Fda, epi & aed suicide risks

[Zoe]

In case anyone missed it, in December, the FDA issued a ruling that ALL anti-epileptic drugs must carry the warning that anti-epileptic drugs can increase the risks of depression and suicide. A fairly in-depth article is on WebMD;
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/news/2...e-risk-warning

[Ruth]

Hi Zoe,

I did read it. There are 11 anti-epileptic drug's that are listed. They will carry the warning, but it will be at the bottom. Unless people with epilepsy ask their pharmacist about it, they are not going to advertise it.

Us with epilepsy, who do not know about it, will be left in the dark about it.

[hawke86]

both of my seizure medications is on the list.

[Bernard]

Suicide Risk From 11 Epilepsy Drugs

[Junebug]

10 of the meds that I have been on in my lifetime are all on there, not including the Vimpat that my dr is going to be starting me on when it comes out next month.


I do though think that there is a fine line to saying which drug causes depression and/or suicide and which drug doesn't because out of those drugs that the people who commited suicide or had depression, there is no way to say exactly what their home/social life situation was before the drug was investigate for this. If one of those 4 people who commited suicide were depressed in their past or they are more at risk than the placebo.

***Not to say that suicide or depression shouldn't be disregarded ever with presc. drugs ever, it's just a fine line there and medical studies don't always go into too much depth as to why this person commited s. vs just being depressed.

Just my worth.

[hawke86]

I talk from experience these medications can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. I only take these medications cause I have to.

[Zoe]

I talk from experience these medications can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. I only take these medications cause I have to.

Hi Hawke,
I got very depressed when I was on anti-epileptic drugs. There may be some things to do to reduce the risks, or the symptoms. How do you handle it when it happens?

[hawke86]

I usally try to see my doctor when I have these thoughts. I have been in the hospital twice for it. When I had these thoughts of trying.

[RobinN]

My daughter had one medication that increased her thoughts on this subject. Since she has been med free, she does not indicate that her thinking goes in this direction.

She tends to be a risk taker. She needs to be to be a competitive figure skater, but when on these meds. she was taking some unusual risks.

[Ruth]

Hi, I get depressed, but not suicidal thoughts.