Neurologists query suicidality alerts on newer anti-epileptics

A blanket warning across the class of antiseizure medications is not backed by evidence, the researchers say
Clare Pain
Depressed young man looking out of the window

The suicidality warnings slapped on five of the most recently approved anti-epileptic drugs fly in the face of the evidence, US researchers say after conducting a meta-analysis.

Since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the first alert on antiseizure medications in 2008, all but one newly approved agent has carried a similar warning, seemingly because the regulator has taken the approach that it’s a class effect, the authors say.