Related Experiment Videos
Fluoxetine not associated with increased aggression in controlled clinical trials
J H Heiligenstein1, C M Beasley, J H Potvin
1Psychopharmacology Division, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285.
International Clinical Psychopharmacology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This meta-analysis found fluoxetine was associated with fewer aggression events than placebo. Fluoxetine (an antidepressant) did not increase the risk of violent or aggressive behavior in patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychopharmacology
- Clinical Psychiatry
- Drug Safety Evaluation
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding the potential for antidepressants like fluoxetine to induce aggression.
- Previous studies have yielded mixed results on the association between fluoxetine and violent behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate the association between fluoxetine use and the occurrence of violence or aggression.
- To determine if fluoxetine increases the risk of aggressive behavior compared to placebo.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of data from 3992 patients in United States Investigational New Drug Clinical Trial Databases was conducted.
- Data included patients treated for depression, obesity, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, smoking cessation, and alcoholism.
- Events suggestive of aggression (hostility, personality disorder, antisocial reaction) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Fluoxetine-treated patients experienced statistically significantly fewer aggression events (0.15%) compared to placebo-treated patients (0.65%).
- Relative risk analysis indicated aggression events were four times more likely in placebo-treated patients than in fluoxetine-treated patients.
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis did not demonstrate an increased risk of violent or aggressive behavior associated with fluoxetine.
- While rare phenomena cannot be entirely excluded, the findings suggest fluoxetine is not linked to heightened aggression.