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Parnate and Suicide

Is there a link between Parnate and suicide? In clinical studies, antidepressants (such as Parnate) appeared to slightly increase the risk of suicidal behavior when given to children and teenagers. Depression itself can also cause thoughts of suicide, however, so it is difficult to determine if the medication was actually responsible for the suicidal thoughts and behavior.

 

Parnate and Suicide: An Overview

Parnate® (tranylcypromine sulfate) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of depression in adults. It is part of a group of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). As with all antidepressants, there may be an increased risk of suicidal behavior when taking Parnate.
 

Parnate and Suicide: FDA Warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a special warning about the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior with antidepressant use in children and teenagers. The warning was issued due to concerns that antidepressants seemed to increase the risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers in clinical studies.
 
Although Parnate is not approved for use in children and teenagers, it may be used "off-label" for this use.
 

Does Parnate Cause Suicides?

In clinical studies, it did appear that there was a slightly increased risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers who took antidepressants.
 In one study, about 4 percent of children and teens taking an antidepressant had suicidal thoughts or behavior, compared to 2 percent of children and teens who were not taking an antidepressant. This study looked at all suicidal behavior, including suicides, attempted suicides, and thoughts about committing suicide. It is important to note that no one in the study actually committed suicide.
 
It is difficult to know for sure if antidepressants cause suicidal behavior. To make matters more confusing, depression itself can cause suicidal behavior. The bottom line: you should report any signs of suicidal behavior to your healthcare professional, whether you are taking an antidepressant or not.
 
Certain people seem to be at higher risk for suicidal behavior while taking antidepressants. This includes people with bipolar disorder (or a family history of bipolar disorder) and people who have attempted suicide (or have a family history of suicide attempts).
 
(Parnate and Suicide Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;