(Use of calcium channel blockers and risk of suicide: ecological findings confirmed in population based cohort study)

In a study including 152 Swedish municipalities (total population of 7.3 million), Lindberg et al investigated possible associations between the use of cardiovascular drugs and suicide and the results of this study are published in this week's BMJ. The authors found a significant correlation between the use of calcium channel blockers and the incidence of suicide (that remained significant when differences in cardiovascular morbidity were considered). Furthermore, in a five year study of drugs for high blood pressure the authors found a fivefold increase in the incidence of suicide, in users of calcium channel blockers compared with users of other antihypertensives.

Lindberg et al conclude that calcium channel blockers should be considered a possible cause of depression and suicide.

Contact:

Dr Anne Melander, Professor of Pharmocoepidemiology, Swedish Network for Pharmacoepidemiology Foundation, Malm� University Hospital, Sweden [email protected]