Relationship between prescribed psychotropic medications and co-ingested alcohol in intentional self-poisonings.

Abstract

BackgroundAcute alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for suicide, therefore investigating factors associated with alcohol-related self-harm warrant attention.AimsTo investigate the influence of prescribed psychotropic medications on the odds of co-ingesting alcohol preceding or during intentional efforts to self-poison.MethodA cross-sectional analysis of consecutive hospital presentations following intentional self-poisoning was conducted. A total of 7270 patients (4363 women) aged 18-96 were included.ResultsThe odds of alcohol co-ingestion were increased in those not prescribed any medication (odds ratio (OR) = 1.27, 99% CI 1.10-1.46, P<0.001) and in impulsive self-poisonings (OR = 1.39, 99% CI 1.11-1.74, P<0.001). Odds were decreased in those prescribed anticonvulsants (OR = 0.69, 99% CI 0.51-0.93), antipsychotics (OR = 0.55, 99% CI 0.45-0.66) and antidepressants (OR = 0.87, 99% CI 0.77-0.99).ConclusionsFindings indicate that being medicated for a psychiatric illness may reduce the likelihood of alcohol consumption during times of acute distress, hence perhaps may reduce the risk of intentional self-poisoning.

• Authors: Kate M Chitty, Timothy Dobbins, Andrew H Dawson, Geoffrey K Isbister, Nicholas A Buckley
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 210 Issue 3 Pg. 203-208 (03 2017) ISSN: 1472-1465 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28104739 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2017.

Chemical References

• Psychotropic Drugs

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alcohol Drinking
• Drug Prescriptions (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Psychotropic Drugs
• Self-Injurious Behavior (epidemiology)
• Suicide, Attempted (statistics & numerical data)
• Young Adult