Suicide Link for Epilepsy Drugs? It Depends

A large study finds that people taking drugs for epilepsy do not have a higher risk of suicide. But risk is higher for people who take these drugs for some other conditions. The study looked at antiepileptic drugs. They are also called anticonvulsants. Researchers used records from more than 5 million patients in the United Kingdom. The study found no increased risk for people who took the drugs for epilepsy or bipolar disorder. But the risk of suicide or attempts was 65% higher for people who took the drugs for depression. The biggest increase was for people who took the drugs for conditions other than epilepsy, depression or bipolar disorder. Their risk more than doubled. The study did not say why this group took the medicines, but many people take them for long-term pain. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it August 5.