die by suicide than those given ACE inhibitors.
The data showed most commonly used ACE inhibitors were ramipril (Altace) and enalapril (Vasotec). The most common ARBs were valsartan (Diovan), telmisartan (Micardis), and candesartan (Atacand).
The study mentioned that those who died by suicide were more likely than those who didn’t to have been prescribed drugs connected to mental health, including antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and mood stabilizers. The researchers were also swift to warn that their study had some flaws.
First, they said their research was observational. The researchers looked for how things occur, not whether one thing caused another. Second, more research is also needed to back up their findings. Researchers say they didn’t have access to essential records regarding other characteristics contributing to premature death, including substance use or emergency room visits. It’s unknown whether the study’s results would be the same for other populations.
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What was the reaction to the findings?
Dr. Sanjiv Patel, a cardiologist at Memorial Care Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in California, called the findings from the study “interesting.”
“We need to keep in mind that they are preliminary findings, and since obvious, randomized control data is best, it would be interesting to hear psychiatrists’ clinical opinions about it,” he says.
Patel says it’s continuously useful for patients and their doctors to discuss any worries regarding new studies.
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“If a patient has a history of mental illness, we as physicians need to seriously consider the potential implications of prescribing them certain medications that can potentially exacerbate their current mental and physical condition,” he shares.
The study cited an increased likelihood of suicide in people who had a history of alcohol abuse, anxiety, sleep disorders, psychosis, agitation, and other mental health issues.
What drugs are involved?
Here are the drugs in these categories approved for use in the United States:
ARBs
- azilsartan (Edarbi)
- candesartan (Atacand)
- eprosartan
- irbesartan (Avapro)
- losartan (Cozaar)
- olmesartan (Benicar)
- telmisartan (Micardis)
- valsartan (Diovan)
ACE inhibitors
- benazepril (Lotensin)
- captopril (Capoten)
- enalapril (Vasotec)
- fosinopril (Monopril)
- lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- perindopril (Aceon)
- quinapril (Accupril)
- ramipril (Altace)
- trandolapril (Mavik)
