Food and Drug Administration (FDA) studies have found that patients taking antiepileptic drugs have twice the risk for suicidal behavior or ideation as patients taking a placebo. The risk appeared in as little as 1 week after antiepileptic therapy started, whether patients were being treated for epilepsy, a psychiatric condition, or another condition.
   Officials stress the need to closely monitor all patients taking antiepileptic drugs for changes that could suggest increased suicidality, including anxiety, agitation, hostility, mania, and hypomania. They also urge healthcare providers to teach patients and family members about the increased risk.
   The drugs tested include carbamazepine, felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, pregabalin, tiagabine, topiramate, valproate, and zonisamide.

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