Suicide is devastating. Even more than a sudden unexpected death, suicide inspires feelings of guilt in the survivors who may wonder, “Could I have done something to prevent this tragedy?” In some cases, the medications a person was taking might be a factor in the suicide.
Could Gabapentin Trigger Suicide?
Q. My boyfriend was prescribed gabapentin for diabetic neuropathy. While taking it, he became withdrawn.
One evening he left the house without my knowledge and went to the hospital. There they prescribed sertraline for depression and gave him an appointment for counseling the following Monday. He committed suicide Saturday morning.
Had I been told by his doctor that this might be a side effect of gabapentin, I could have done something to prevent his death.
Sertraline Plus Gabapentin May Have Been Too Much:
A. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2008 that gabapentin (Neurontin) could lead to depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Adding sertraline (Zoloft) might have made matters worse. It also comes with a warning about suicide in young adults. The FDA recommends that prescribers alert patients and their families of the suicide risk so that patients can be closely observed for changes in thoughts or behavior.
Many health professionals are skeptical that drugs like gabapentin or sertraline increase the possibility of suicide (Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, Dec., 2010). This might explain why you and your boyfriend were not warned that he might begin to feel suicidal. Gabapentin is one drug that does seem to increase the possibility of suicide attempts (Neurologist, Sep., 2010). It is tragic that neither of you were informed about this risk.
