Citation

Chitty KM, Dobbins T, Dawson AH, Isbister GK, Buckley NA. Br. J. Psychiatry 2017; 210(3): 203-208.

Affiliation

Kate M. Chitty, BSc Hons, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales; Timothy Dobbins, PhD, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, New South Wales; Andrew H. Dawson, MB, BS, FRCP, FRACP, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales; Geoffrey K. Isbister, BSc, MBBS, FACEM, MD, Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales; Nicholas A. Buckley, BMed, FRACP, MD, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.115.172213

PMID

28104739

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for suicide, therefore investigating factors associated with alcohol-related self-harm warrant attention. AIMS: To investigate the influence of prescribed psychotropic medications on the odds of co-ingesting alcohol preceding or during intentional efforts to self-poison.

METHOD: A 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.

RESULTS: The 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).

CONCLUSIONS: Findings 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.

© The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2017.

Language: en