Cited by 192Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPoisoning and overdose treatmentsForensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

Toxicity of antidepressants: rates of suicide relative to prescribing and non-fatal overdose

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Hawton, Keith, Bergen, Helen, Simkin, Sue, Cooper, Jayne, Waters, Keith, Gunnell, David, Kapur, Navneet·2010·British Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Background: Self-poisoning is a common method of suicide and often involves ingestion of antidepressants. Information on the relative toxicity of antidepressants is therefore extremely important. Aims: To assess the relative toxicity of specific tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Method: Observational study of prescriptions (UK), poisoning deaths involving single antidepressants receiving coroners' verdicts of suicide or undetermined intent (England and Wales) and non-fatal self-poisoning episodes presenting to six general hospitals (in Oxford, Manchester and Derby) between 2000 and 2006. Calculation of fatal toxicity index based on ratio of rates of deaths to prescriptions, and case fatality based on ratio of rates of deaths to non-fatal self-poisonings. Results: Fatal toxicity and case fatality indices provided very similar results (rho for relative ranking of indices 0.99). Case fatality rate ratios showed greater toxicity for TCAs (13.8, 95% CI 13.0–14.7) than the SNRI venlafaxine (2.5, 95% CI 2.0–3.1) and the NaSSA mirtazapine (1.9, 95% CI 1.1–2.9), both of which had greater toxicity than the SSRIs (0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.7). Within the TCAs, compared with amitriptyline both dosulepin (relative toxicity index 2.7) and doxepin (2.6) were more toxic. Within the SSRIs, citalopram had a higher case fatality than the other SSRIs (1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 v. 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.4). Conclusions: There are wide differences in toxicity not only between classes of antidepressants, but also within classes. The findings are relevant to prescribing decisions, especially in individuals at risk, and to regulatory policy.

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  1. Adelstein A, Mardon C. Suicides 1961-74. Popul Trends 1975; 2: 13-8.
  2. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Dosulepin: measures to reduce risk of fatal overdose. Drug Safety Update 2007; 1: 7-8.

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Authors
Hawton, K., Bergen, H., Simkin, S., Cooper, J., Waters, K., Gunnell, D., & Kapur, N.
Affiliations
  • Warneford Hospital (GB)
  • University of Manchester (GB)
  • Royal Derby Hospital (GB)
  • University of Bristol (GB)
Corresponding author
Hawton, Keith
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Published
2010-05
Volume
196
Issue
5
Pages
354-358
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
OpenAlex
W2145923858
Cited by
192
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 13
FWCI
13.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
  • Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute for Health and Care Research (RP-PG-0606-1247)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Poisoning and overdose treatments
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
Keywords
antidepressant toxicity, suicide, self-poisoning, antidepressant overdose, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants, venlafaxine, mirtazapine, amitriptyline, doxepin, dosulepin, citalopram, case fatality, antidepressant prescribing
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Antidepressive Agents, Child, England, Humans, Middle Aged, Drug Prescriptions, Suicide, Wales, Young Adult, Drug Overdose

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