Which medication is indicated for suicidal behavior?

Which medication is indicated for suicidal behavior?

• A. Paliperidone
• B. Ziprasidone
• C. Clozapine
• D. Quetiapine

Answer: (C)

In schizophrenia, reducing suicidal behavior is a uniquely addressed goal for certain antipsychotics. Clozapine has the strongest evidence for lowering suicide risk, supported by studies like the InterSePT trial, which showed fewer suicide attempts and deaths in treatment-resistant patients treated with clozapine compared to another antipsychotic. This anti-suicidality effect makes it the medication of choice when suicidality is a major concern or when someone has not responded to other treatments. The other options can help with psychotic symptoms but do not have the same robust data showing a reduction in suicidality. Clozapine does require regular blood monitoring due to the risk of agranulocytosis, which is an important safety consideration.

In schizophrenia, reducing suicidal behavior is a uniquely addressed goal for certain antipsychotics. Clozapine has the strongest evidence for lowering suicide risk, supported by studies like the InterSePT trial, which showed fewer suicide attempts and deaths in treatment-resistant patients treated with clozapine compared to another antipsychotic. This anti-suicidality effect makes it the medication of choice when suicidality is a major concern or when someone has not responded to other treatments. The other options can help with psychotic symptoms but do not have the same robust data showing a reduction in suicidality. Clozapine does require regular blood monitoring due to the risk of agranulocytosis, which is an important safety consideration.