Hj. Moller et Em. Steinmeyer, ARE SEROTONERGIC REUPTAKE INHIBITORS MORE POTENT IN REDUCING SUICIDALITY - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY ON PAROXETINE, European neuropsychopharmacology, 4(1), 1994, pp. 55-59
There is some empirical evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inh
ibitors reduce suicidal ideas faster than other antidepressants. These
findings are well in line with the theory of a serotonergic hypofunct
ion in suicidal patients. To test this hypothesis the data of a 6-week
double-blind control-group study comparing paroxetine versus amitript
yline were analyzed with respect to suicidality. The global antidepres
sive efficacy was comparable under dosages of 30 mg paroxetine or 150
mg amitriptyline per day. A differentiated analysis failed to confirm
the hypothesis of a faster reduction of suicidal cognitions by paroxet
ine.