FDA finds increase in suicide symptoms for patients using seizure medications

Drugs for epilepsy, bipolar illness and mood problems double the risks of suicidal thoughts and behavior, and patients taking them should be watched for sudden behavioral changes, according to drug regulators. The Food and Drug Administration undertook a combined analysis of 199 clinical trials with 43,892 patients and found four suicides and 105 reports of suicidal symptoms among the 27,863 patients who were given the drugs compared to no suicides and 35 reports of suicidal symptoms among the 16,029 patients treated with placebos.