Which medication is indicated for suicidal behavior?

Which medication is indicated for suicidal behavior?

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

Answer: (C)

Clozapine uniquely reduces suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia. Research, including randomized trials, shows that clozapine lowers the risk of suicide attempts and deaths in patients at high risk or who have failed other antipsychotics. Because of this anti-suicidal effect, guidelines specifically endorse clozapine for suicidality in schizophrenia, especially in treatment-resistant cases. The other antipsychotics—quetiapine, lurasidone, and paliperidone—do not have the same proven impact on suicide risk, even though they can help with psychotic symptoms. So when the goal is to reduce suicidality, clozapine is the indicated choice, with close monitoring for its serious potential side effects.

Clozapine uniquely reduces suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia. Research, including randomized trials, shows that clozapine lowers the risk of suicide attempts and deaths in patients at high risk or who have failed other antipsychotics. Because of this anti-suicidal effect, guidelines specifically endorse clozapine for suicidality in schizophrenia, especially in treatment-resistant cases. The other antipsychotics—quetiapine, lurasidone, and paliperidone—do not have the same proven impact on suicide risk, even though they can help with psychotic symptoms. So when the goal is to reduce suicidality, clozapine is the indicated choice, with close monitoring for its serious potential side effects.