Can Antidepressants Cause Suicide?

Recently, the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) has been in the news because of concerns that it may make people suicidal. Fortunately, there has been much more smoke than fire, and there is now good evidence that fluoxetine, like other antidepressants, actually makes depressed and suicidal individuals less depressed and less suicidal. It is important to realize that when being treated for depression, people often do not respond immediately, and some may get side effects from medications and actually feel worse. Consequently, suicide risk must be carefully assessed throughout the entire course of treatment.

It is certainly possible that a few people may actually become more suicidal while being treated with any antidepressant treatment, including antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy, and exercise. If this is the case, such feelings should be shared with the doctor so that appropriate treatment modifications can be made.

It is very apparent that not treating depression carries a far greater risk to far more people than do the side effects of antidepressant medications. To avoid treatment with fluoxetine or any other antidepressants because of ill-founded claims would be truly unfortunate.

Can Antidepressants Make People Suicidal?