Suicidality linked to antiepileptic drugs

FDA warned healthcare professionals that antiepileptic drugs were associated with twice the risk of suicidal behavior or ideation compared with placebo in an analysis of data from 199 studies of 11 antiepileptic drugs in 43,892 patients. The risk in patients given antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy and other psychiatric and neurologic disorders was 0.43% vs. 0.22% for patients given placebo. The increased risk was observed as early as one week after starting treatment and continued through 24 weeks.

FDA expects the risk is shared by all antiepileptic drugs and "anticipates that the class labeling changes will be applied broadly." ...