Newer Epilepsy Drugs Linked To Suicide

A study conducted a few months ago has linked certain epilepsy drugs to suicide. The Food and Drug Administration has been conducting studies about this link since 2008. To date, the FDA has stated that it is the newer drugs on the market that seem to cause this high risk behavior.

Keppra, Topamax and Sabril are the new drugs that have shown the highest dangers of suicidal actions. Older drugs that are used for the disease have not shown the same results.

The FDA has stated that further research is needed before any final conclusions are drawn. In the meantime, the FDA has requested that the manufacturers of these drugs post warning labels on the medication.

Due to the nature of the disease and its direct effect on brain function, researchers are leery to say these new drugs are the culprit of the suicides.

Many other groups are watching the findings of these studies. Two new obesity drugs that are up for approval contain antiepileptic medications in their make up. If these meds are shown to increase suicidal thoughts the drugs make not gain approval. Three of these drugs were slated to hit the market this year, the first has already been denied due to apparent heart valve problems.