Are serotonergic reuptake inhibitors more potent in reducing suicidality? An empirical study on paroxetine

There is some empirical evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors reduce suicidal ideas faster than other antidepressants. These findings are well in line with the theory of a serotonergic hypofunction in suicidal patients. To test this hypothesis the data of a 6-week double-blind control-group study comparing paroxetine versus amitriptyline were analyzed with respect to suicidality. The global antidepressive 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 paroxetine.