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Fluoxetine: no association with suicidality in obsessive-compulsive disorder
C M Beasley1, J H Potvin, D N Masica
1Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis 46285.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|January 11, 1992
Summary
This study found fluoxetine treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) did not increase suicidality risks. Fluoxetine use was associated with improved suicidal ideation scores compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to serotonin pathway dysfunction, which also influences suicide and aggression.
- High comorbidity exists between OCD and depression, a known suicide risk factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and suicidality in patients with OCD.
- To analyze pooled clinical trial data for fluoxetine's effect on suicidal acts and ideation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pooled data from clinical trials comparing fluoxetine (n=266) and placebo (n=89) in DSM-IIIR OCD patients.
- Assessment of suicidal acts and ideation, including Hamilton Depression Scale item 3 scores.
Main Results:
- No suicidal acts were reported in either the fluoxetine or placebo groups.
- Fluoxetine treatment led to statistically significant improvement in suicidal ideation scores compared to placebo.
- Worsening suicidal ideation occurred more frequently in the placebo group than the fluoxetine group.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of suicidality in fluoxetine-treated OCD patients was low and favorable compared to placebo.
- Controlled clinical trials suggest fluoxetine does not pose an undue risk of suicidality in patients with OCD.