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

Kate M Chitty; Timothy Dobbins; Andrew H Dawson; Geoffrey K Isbister; Nicholas A Buckley

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.172213

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

Br J Psychiatry. 2017 Mar;210(3):203-208. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.115.172213. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

Authors

Kate M Chitty¹, Timothy Dobbins², Andrew H Dawson², Geoffrey K Isbister², Nicholas A Buckley²

Affiliations

¹ 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 kate.chitty@sydney.edu.au.
² 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.

PMID: 28104739
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.115.172213

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.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

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

Substances

Psychotropic Drugs

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding