Out of the long lists of medications side effects, one of the dangerous potential effects has been noticed in last few decades and that is suicidal thoughts or suicidal tendency, which has called for immediate attention in this terrific issue. In this article, you will get to know about the medications that can cause suicide and which needed to be avoided for the sake of yours and your dear one’s precious life.

The rapidly increasing rate of suicidal cases including suicidal ideas, attempts, and completion rate worldwide has caused to enlist this as the top priority agenda by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department.

The research and survey were conducted by the FDA department on the data of one decade for suicidal cases, including suicidal attempts as well to clarify the underlying causes and reasons for these type of negative thoughts that force someone to end their life.

At the end of the report of the Adverse Event (AE) Reporting System or AERS based on the data for the years 2004 to 2008, it was analyzed that out of more than 80 % of adverse events cases were triggered as a side effect caused by 832 drugs. That means suicidal ideations, attempts and completion were came as the highest range of side effects out of other potential side effects which often these drugs make a disclaimer as to its potential side effect.

Out of the long lists of drugs or medications which are identified as the primary suspect for causing suicidal thoughts and attempts by affecting the mood and mental reaction of a particular person, anti-obesity and antidepressant medications are on the highest rank.

This is really ironic as one medication people take to get relieved from a certain health condition, again dig a big hole for some other critical condition as its side effects. The survey report based on the countries like USA and UK claims that people who attempted suicide most of them were on antidepressants at the time of their suicide attempt.

In this long list of medications antidepressants are the most triggering one. However, the matter of discussion regarding the side effects of these medications is that whether the chemicals in these medicines directly induce the suicidal thoughts in people or it just gives a boost to these dormant negative thoughts in people that trigger them to commit suicide or plan for suicide.

A recent study by an American Journal has revealed the fact that more than one-third total population of the country are taking those medications which have potential to increase the depression risk and about a quarter population are using medications which have the potential to raise suicidal symptoms or attempt.

As per the report of the University of Illinois and Columbia University medications for high blood pressure control, birth control, acid reflux etc. carry more risk to elevate the depression risks among its consumers and the worst thing is that the more they take these medications, more chances of complex form of depression lies with it.

Depression is one of the most striking mental health conditions and year by year the quantity of depression patients is increasing like a rapid-fire around the world. In this context, the matter of worry is that instead of curing these mental health concerns its medications ultimately lead to some other critical health hazard by boosting the negative thoughts like suicidal thoughts and attempts.

In order to come on a definite conclusion, a research team examined the report of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey based on the health trends of US people since the year 1970. They pick out the data for the years between 2005 to 2014. This study clears several facts about the potential side effects caused by some medications.

As per this report, it was found that approx. 200 medicines that people on these surveys were taken during these periods found with the potential symptoms of depression and suicidal tendency as its side effects.

The further study of this survey reveals that people who are taking more than two to three medications for different health concerns have more potential to develop these side effects later on.

This was further linked as the psychological effects by the renowned psychiatrists of America with the statement that people who have to take more medications get mentally depressed due to their bad health concerns and this doesn’t make any direct relation between these medications and the expected side effects.

However, this report was later on criticized when another research was conducted on medications which were not associated with any such side effect which reveals that people who use them don’t develop any sign of depression and suicidal thoughts.

This report concludes that taking two to three medications can’t be associated with increased suicidal tendency or depression unless it contains these health risks as its listed side effects. Still, it needs further detailed study.

Regarding the suicidal tendency as the potential side effects of some medications one important thing that must not be overlooked is that the medications which carry these risks are prepared to work on a special formulation to relieve certain health condition. So it is quite possible that during its processing it might trigger mental health in a negative way boosting these side effects.

However, this possibility doesn’t lie with each and every individual who are using these medications. Also the suicidal thoughts, attempts and completion data needs to be further classified on the basis of gender, age group, employment status, and race.

This classification can play an important role in inducing or elevating these negative thoughts and feelings in an individual. As because it is the long-term failure, sadness and dissatisfaction in one’s personal, professional and social life can induce the seed of suicide which suddenly gets a trigger when the same person started taking medicine which carries the potential side effect of suicidal thoughts.

This overall study shows that blaming only to medications for the suicidal thoughts and behavior is not fair as there are several other factors which are quite likely to put emphasis for these attempts. Yes, no doubt the evidence of suicide by people who are on medications which carry these potential side effects are big and remarkable.

In this context, it is very crucial that everyone should aware of the signs or symptoms of suicide as early stage detection of this striking thought can save someone from losing this precious life and reduce one more count at the end of the year from the list of suicidal cases including attempts for suicide and final suicide victims.

Signs of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Table of Contents

Talks about Suicide

The person who thinks and plan for suicide may talk about it even in a witty manner. This self- destructive thought prompt them to share their thoughts with the near and dear ones if not seriously then in a humorous mood.

Frequent Mood Swing

Frequent mood swing problem is one of the indicator or sign of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. At one time the person may feel calmness and at another point may feel restless or anger or any other behavioral change which was not his or her part of the general behavior during the normal period of life.

Constant Sadness

A person who is facing or suffering from constant sadness since a long period may get depressed with time and later on, this depression can turn to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In such a condition the affected person feels only to end life is the ultimate solution of all the troubles of their life.

Sleeping Problems

Anyone thinking about suicide may suffer from constant or frequent sleeping problems. The person hardly could sleep for 4 to 5 hours in the night and there will be hardly sleeping during the daytime. This restless behavior affects their overall lifestyle and brings drastic changes in their mood such as panic attacks, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are the consequences.

Feeling of Self-Worthlessness

Anyone who suddenly started feeling for themselves as useless or unimportant for their family members, relatives and other dear ones depicts a sign for suicidal behavior. Some of them can share this negative thought of their mind regarding their worthlessness to others and sometimes they can keep it within.

Changes in Eating Pattern

Changes may be seen in the eating pattern or behavior of the suspected person which will be totally different from their normal lifestyle. The person may start eating less of their regular meal doses or losses their appetite and may suddenly get addicted to alcohol, smoking, and other harmful drugs.

Withdrawal from Dear Ones

The person may start withdrawing their closeness and relation with their friends, relatives, family members, and other dear ones. They do so for accomplishing their plan for suicide so that neither they themselves nor their dear ones will feel repentance after their death.

Isolation

People with destructive thoughts like suicide attempts to feel good to stay alone and that is the reason they start isolating themselves from everyone and from all the activities they previously used to enjoy. A sudden change of this kind of behavior in someone gives a clear-cut indication of their suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Lack of Interest for General Responsibilities

Anyone who is getting suicidal thoughts will lose interest from general responsibilities including personal and professional life. They may feel a lack of concentration towards the work which is important for their livelihood even they lose the fear of their job loss or any other financial loss.

Preparation for End Days

A person planning for suicide will start settling his or her belongings and possessions as the end work of their life so that after their suicide everything remains well settled and manageable by others. They may prepare a will, or write a suicide note and can buy poison, firearms or any other means of suicide attempt which they thought or plan for their attempt to end life.

Any Current Life Trauma or Incident

Any major current trauma or incident of life which is intolerable or unacceptable by the affected person may bring suicidal thoughts which further develop into the suicidal behaviors and signs. Some big life bad incidents such as divorce, breakups, loss in business, a death of a dear one, sudden diagnosis of any major diseases at an earlier stage of life, etc. are some of those traumas which can cause to develop suicidal thoughts and attempts.

How to Cope Up with Suicidal Thoughts

Anyone who is feeling suicidal can change their plan if they get proper care, love and support from any family member, friends, or even from a stranger who makes them realize that they are worth full and valuable for others. The feeling of self-importance for others will increase their self-esteem and faith in life. Anyone developing suicidal behaviors and discussing suicide can overcome this destructive thought with the following tricks.

If someone shares his or her thoughts of suicide even in a joke then don’t take it lightly. Make their family members and other close mates aware of their perception so that they can give them proper care and stay alert.
Hide all the life-ending means which someone can use for the accomplishment of suicide such as knives, guns, sleeping pills etc.
Don’t leave such kind of person alone even for a minute so that such destructive thoughts would not overwhelm their mind and they get a chance to end their life.
Consult with a therapist or responsible health centers to get their guidance and if possible convince the suicidal person to visit the help center in order to overcome such a negative destructive condition.

List of Medications that Can Cause Suicide

Anticonvulsants Medicines

Diazepam
Ethosuximide
Clonazepam
Lamotrigine
Lorazepam
Gabapentin
Methsuximide
Levetiracetam
Phenytoin
Topiramate
Zonisamide
Valproic Acid
Pregabalin

Analgesics Medicines

Tramadol
Hydropmorphone
Tapentadol
Acetaminophen

Antidepressants Medicines

Bupropion
Amitriptyline
Citalopram
Desipramine
Clomipramine
Doxepin
Duloxetine
Desvenlafaxine
Fluoxetine
Escitalopram
Fluvoxamine
Amitriptyline/ Chlordiazepoxide
Amitriptyline/ Perphenazine
Imipramine
Fluoxetine/ Olanzapine
Milnacipran
Nefazodone
Mirtazapine
Nortriptyline
Sertraline
Paroxetine
Selegiline
Phenelzine
Protriptyline
Vilazodone
Trazodone
Venlafaxine

Hypnotics, Anxiolytics and Sedatives Medicines

Clonazepam
Alprazolam
Chlordiazepoxide
Butabarbital
Clorazepate
Clonazepam
Doxepin
Diazepam
Flurazepam
Ramelteon
Eszopiclone
Pentobarbital
Zolpidem
Triazolam
Zaleplon

Antihypertensives Medicines

Cardura
Doxazosin
Tenex
Guanfacine
Aldomet, Aldoril, Dopamet
Methyldopa
Catapres
Wytensin
Minipress
Apresoline
Prazosin
Clonidine
Guanabenz
Hydralazine

Anti-Asthma Medicines

Singulair
Accolate
Zafirlukast
Montelukast
Daxas
Roflumilast

Anti-Smoking Medicines

Zyban
Varenicline
Chantix
Buproprion
Champix

Contraceptives Pills

Yasmin
Drospirenone
Dianette
Yaz
Drospirenone

Anti-Acne Medicines

Roaccutane
Isotretinoin
Doryx
Doxycycline

Antipsychotics Medicines

Fentazine
Neulactil
Haldol
Moban
Zyprexa
Geodon
Invega
Fanapt
Xenazine
Iloperidone
Ziprasidone
Paliperidone
Olanzapine
Molindone
Pericyazine
Haloperidol
Perphenazine
Stelazine
Fluanxol
Sulpitil
Riserpdal
Seroquel
Solian
Zoleptil
Zotepine
Risperidone
Sulpiride

Benzodiazepines Medicines

Valium
Serenid
Librium
Nobrium
Klonopin
Clonazepam
Medazepam
Oxazepam
Diazepam
Ativan
Xanax
Lexotan
Frisium
Tranxene
Alprazolam
Cloabazam
Clorazepate

Stimulants Medicines

Focalin
Concerta
Adderall
Ritalin
Metadate
Vyvanse
Dexedrine
Amphetamine
Methyphenidate

Urinary Medicines

Flomax
Avodart
Dutasteride
Tamsulosin
Duloxetine
Finasteride
Yentreve
Propecia

Though solely taking these medicines doesn’t prove anything alone that a person using them may develop suicidal thoughts and behavior in the future but yes, medications that can cause suicide give an idea to their near and dear ones that they are in risk to develop these type of negative thought in the future so that they can stay alert and find alternatives to these medications for the sake of a valuable life.

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Medications that Can Cause Suicidal Tendencies : Signs of Suicidal Thoughts