Antidepressant might cause suicidal thoughts

Study finds that antidepressant Paxil should be monitored for clinical worsening

A new report from the drug company GlaxoSmithKline concludes that its antidepressant Paxil might make adults with major depression more likely to become suicidal.And it couldn't be entirely ruled out that the difference was due to chance, according to the report, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.But the rate of suicide attempts was low, at 0.34 percent for people on Paxil and 0.05 percent for people who got sham treatment with a placebo pill in clinical trials.

"The scientific evidence does not establish that paroxetine" - the ingredient in Paxil -- "causes suicide, suicide attempts, self-harm or suicidal thinking," said Sarah Alspach, a spokeswoman for the drug company.

"Nonetheless, all patients who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior."

In general, antidepressants can be extremely helpful for people with depression. The American Academy of Family Physicians says on its web site, "Most people who have depression get better with treatment that includes these medicines."

But the link between suicide risk and antidepressants has long been a thorny issue for regulators and drugmakers alike. The current data were initially published in 2006 on GlaxoSmithKline's website in response to widespread concern.