Glaxo’s Paxil linked to suicide

Researchers from the University of Oslo compiled data from 16 studies (some unpublished) comparing the use of Paxil (paroxetine) with placebo for its connection to suicide attempts, concluded that the use of paroxetine by adults should be restricted by regulatory agencies, as for children and adolescents.

Paroxetine, which is branded as Seroxat in the UK, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), used to treat depression and psychiatric disorders.

Although the researchers did not find evidence of actual suicide related to drug use, seven patients taking paroxetine, out of a total 916, attempted suicide compared with only one in the 550 participants on placebo. Suicidal thoughts were also more common among the paroxetine group.

Paxil has been taken by approximately 20 million people worldwide since its license in 1990. Campaigners for charity groups such as Mind have called for the drug to be withdrawn from sale, saying that during their own studies’ users have reported an increased incidence of suicidal and self-harming thoughts.

In response, GlaxoSmithKline said that it disagreed with the conclusions of the research because it failed to reflect the whole picture of the benefits and risks from trials involving 24,000 patients.