To study the effect of clozapine on mortality, the rates of various causes of death in 67,072 current and former users of clozapine were studied. Mortality was lower during periods of current clozapine use than periods of non-use. Mortality from suicide was decreased in current clozapine users by comparison with past users. Clozapine appeared to reduce mortality in people with severe schizophrenia mostly by decreasing suicide rates. The huge increase in the use of antidepressants in Sweden since 1990-1991 as been paralleled by a significant decrease in suicide rates.
Epidemiological data suggest antidepressants reduce suicide risk among depressives.
Data on the prevalence of antidepressant medication in Sweden in 1990-1991 was obtained from the Swedish National Corporation of Pharmacies. Only one in five individuals with major depression were treated with antidepressants. The calculated risk for suicide was 141 per 100,000 person years among the treated and 259 per 100,000 among the untreated. Data from a randomized prospective trial. Of the 9 suicides and 5 attempts, none occurred during lithium treatment.