DEATH DUE TO OVERDOSE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS - EXPERIENCES FROM NORWAY

During the last 20 years the suicide rate in Norway has doubled. This also applies to suicide by intoxication. Antidepressants comprise a co nstantly increasing part of the intoxication means used in suicides, a s demonstrated in this article. The tricyclic antidepressants amitript yline and doxepin, the most commonly used antidepressants in Norway, a re also the two leading antidepressants causing death by intoxication. Less toxic antidepressants should be prescribed whenever possible.