Atypical antipsychotics and suicidal behavior in esquizophrenic or schizo-affective patients

Authors

  • Felipe Filardi da Rocha Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Programa de Medicina Molecular
  • Nathália Bueno Alvarenga UFMG; Faculdade de Medicina
  • Naira Vassalo Lage UFMG; ICB
  • Ana Luiza Lanna Trivelato UFMG; Faculdade de Medicina
  • André Coelho Barros UFMG; Faculdade de Medicina
  • Humberto Corrêa UFMG; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Saúde Mental

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832010000500008

Keywords:

Atypical antipsychotic, clozapine, esquizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, suicidality

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The literature concerning the net effect of atypical antipsychotic medication on suicidality is not consistent. OBJECTIVES: The empirical literature relating to the efficacy of pharmacological intervention with atypical antipsychotics in esquizophrenic or schizo-affective patients is comprehensively reviewed. METHODS: MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane Library were used to search for articles from 1964 to 2009 using these key-words: "suicidal behavior" e/ou "suicide" e "atypical antipsychotics" e/ou "antipsychotics" e/ou "clozapine". RESULTS: The strongest and perhaps unique evidence has been shown for clozapine, which seems to have a clinically relevant advantage over other second-generation antipsychotics for reducing suicidality temptation. DISCUSSION: Clozapine is the unique medication that modulates suicidal behavior. Its action is unknown but is not related do clinical improvement. It is the unique drug approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent suicide in esquizophrenic patients but the criteria for his use is uncertain.

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Published

2010-01-01

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 5 (2010)

Section

Reviews of Literature

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Atypical antipsychotics and suicidal behavior in esquizophrenic or schizo-affective patients . (2010). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 37(5), 228-232. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832010000500008