FDA Orders "Suicidal Ideation" Warning on Many Mood Stabilizers
However, psychiatrist Dr. David Kahn of Columbia University questioned the weight of this warning for bipolar patients. In a report in the Psychiatric Times, Kahn said bipolar disorder has "far higher rates of suicide attached to it if untreated, than is suggested to occur as a result of taking the specific drugs in question. If there are, in fact, rare patients made worse rather than better, it is reasonable for both patients and doctors to be aware of this possibility and to monitor for it, but not to be afraid of the treatment since it is a very unusual outcome."
What does this mean for you, if you are taking or start taking one of these medications? If you have never had suicidal thoughts in the past but you begin to, contact your doctor at once. (For that matter, no matter what medications you are taking, if you have suicidal thoughts at all, contact your doctor!) But Dr. Kahn's message is clear: anti-seizure medications have proven their worth as mood stabilizers, and patients should not be afraid to take them because of the new warning.
~Marcia
The drugs which must now carry this warning are:
Comments
Wouldn’t it be interesting if the other half of the story was that the suicidal ideation was less likely to result in suicidal action than similar ideation without the medication? Also worth knowing — when did this occur? Just in initial adjustment to new med or dosage or during long-term treatment with the med. If only the former, and if there was actually less suicidal behavior despite some temporary increase in ideation, I would declare the meds an unqualified winner. I’ve been on Depakote 13 years, following nearly 20 on Lithium, and Depakote was superior.
I experienced mood changes but never had Suicidal Ideation until I was put on mood stablizers. I took Lamictal (lamotrigine). I had never experienced that type of low before. I’m currently looking for natural treatments for my disorder.
I am currently taking two of the ones listed, Topamax and Lamictal. Without these medications is when my suicidal notions come into play. George I really think you are right on the money. Knowing this information would be helpful to the rest of us who are a little concerned
I have experienced 2 instances of being sucidal, BOTH when on huge[2600 mg] of Neurotion, and the 1st time did indeed take a full scrip of Seroqueol, at the time of my marriage disolving, my Mom’s immiment death, and my isolation.
The 2nd time I had researched and knew this was possible and went to the ER. However I was at the wrong hospital[my former doc had no preivilages] and after 10 hrs I was given cab fare and went home.
Each person has different body chemistry and life stressors, and anything that can lead one down that very dark road should be evaluated to the inth degree. I made a full and complete recovery and use only natural supplemnets, for the non scientific former diagnosis of Bipolar Manic Depression. It is my opinion every aspect of the mind/body/soul sould be addressed BEFORE toxic prescriptive medications are given.
I am bipolar II presently on effexor, lamictal,klonopin @ zoloft. I am so very depressed and have experienced suicidal thoughts. I was on abilify at one time…but it made me like a zombie. I hear that some people here are trying natural ways to help themselves get better. When I tried to stop my pills it made me manic. So here I trod along in life…feeling like a lost soul!!!!!
I have been on different mood stabilizers with a lot of side effects..most worse than being Bipolar…which I have Bipolar I- mixed episodes and rapid cycles. The worse types. I am a researcher…..I hate taking so many medications. So, I started looking into the chemical part of Bipolar. I found out a lot of my Bipolar had to do with my thyroid. Not many Doctors seem to think of the two having to do with one another. I found one that does and listen to me and read my research. I found my information on the internet. And in some Bipolar books. I typed in Bipolar and Thyroid. I was suprised at what I found. Normal limits are not always normal when you have Bipolar. I was put on Synthroid. It changed my life. My ups and downs have decreased. I can think for once in so long. I feel like I once did before Bipolar. I am not saying it is all. But bring it up. Look up normal limits for a TSH. That is the test or one of them they do for your thyroid. But in Bipolar limits can be within normal limits but on the higher end or not being normal. Depression is closer to 3.0 and mania is 1.0. My normal that my body runs on is .9. That is normal for me. I feel good and can be my best at that level. It depends on your body. Find out if your Doctor is willing to try listening to you after you research this information. It cut out a few of my Bipolar meds and I sleep so much better at night. I feel like going places now. I have energy to do normal things. I don’t gain weight from all those medications anymore.
I wish I could send the links to the information I found…but just try looking…or have a friend look for you.
Good luck…never do anything without talking with you Doctor…!
Kelly
I agree that it’s individual, and the last fellow that left comments (sorry I didn’t remember your name before I started typing this). I spent years being Dx as depressed versus bipolar. I’ve been on Keppra for 6 years and feel as if I have a quality of life. Yes I have suicidal ideations, but I don’t feel so lost or like a zombie before I took Keppra. I find many times it’s situational (I lost my dog in December, I had a heart attack in February, I have an 18 year old daughter w/ BP who now thinks she can do whatever she wants because she’s 18)… that’s enough to send us all packing (smile). So I try to put it into perspective, and I do reach out to talk. The hardest part for me, is most people just don’t get it. They say they want to be there for you, but have a few phone calls (over a year or two), they can’t comprehend why you aren’t “fixed.” So at times I feel very alone. I’d like to get back to work, or doing something – volunteering even, to feel alive again. That’s my next goal. But I agree with all the points surrounding the ruling to put the label on the meds.
Hmm. I take gabapentin for a nerve pain disorder, not for my bipolar. I have a history of suicide attempts and ideation. I don’t think it is the gabapentin though. I also take zonisamide for the nerve pain. Should I wonder if I should find out if I can do without the gabapentin? I don’t want to be in pain, but I don’t want to increase any chance of suicide either.
I’ve been on three of the anti-seizure/mood stabilizing meds mentioned above and never had any thoughts of suicide while I was taking them. My problems with bi-polar are more from the mania side though. My depression is kept in check by the two anti-depressants that I am on, so suicide never enters my mind.
I am BP on Valproic Acid and Lexapro. This combination did not prevent the suicidal though or actual actions. The attempts were mostly situational regarding failing marriage, work etc. Now a have a 10 year old diagnosed with BP so he needs me to go through those growing years. Suicidal thoughs are gone. I am in a hefty exercise regime (biking/kayaking) that helps a lot.
I found this all very interesting as I have been on all the medications that are listed except one..Gabitril. The Neurontin is taken 3 times a day to control my seizures. For my bipolar problems, I did try Depakote (it gave me pancreatitis), Lithium which didn’t work and none of the others worked either. I’m tired of being a pill tester and will try to conquerer this the natural way. Its all very frustrating to get negative reactions for so many meds.
I’ve been treated with a variety of meds for BP over the past 25 years and never have I felt so compelled toward suicide as I did after using Neurontin. Within a few days I had gone far beyond any previous consideration of taking my life.
I felt as though I had no choice and I was being dragged over a cliff. I just happened to be staying with a friend and watched a show on HBO about suicide and the harm it does to those left behind. The next day I called my dr. and stopped the med. I started to feel better quickly. I talked to a man on a med forum who had to have his wife committed due to suicidal behavior after taking Neurontin.
I believe the fundamental problem is leaving research and reporting in the hands of big pharma. The big drug companies make the oil companies look like boy scouts.
I velieve there are probably more drugs that put us at risk. This information comes out yers and years after first being prescribed.
Consult your Doctor and don’t flip if your drug is here.