Möller H J, Steinmeyer E M
Psychiatric Department, University of Bonn, Germany.
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 1994 Mar;4(1):55-9. doi: 10.1016/0924-977x(94)90315-8.
There is some empirical evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors reduce suicidal ideas faster than other antidepressants. These findings are well in line with the theory of a serotonergic hypofunction in suicidal patients. To test this hypothesis the data of a 6-week double-blind control-group study comparing paroxetine versus amitriptyline were analyzed with respect to suicidality. The global antidepressive efficacy was comparable under dosages of 30 mg paroxetine or 150 mg amitriptyline per day. A differentiated analysis failed to confirm the hypothesis of a faster reduction of suicidal cognitions by paroxetine.
