Gabapentinoids Not Directly Associated With Risk of Self-Harm
THURSDAY, May 15, 2025 -- Gabapentinoids are not associated with risk of self-harm in adults; however, elevated risk is seen before initiation of treatment, during the initial phase of treatment, and after discontinuation of treatment, according to a study published online April 30 in The BMJ.
Andrew S.C. Yuen, from University College London, and colleagues conducted a population-based self-controlled case series study to estimate the effect of gabapentinoid treatment on self-harm. Data were included for 10,002 adults with gabapentinoid prescriptions who had an incident event of self-harm between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2020. Patient time was divided into four discrete windows: 90 days before treatment; the treatment period; 14 days after the treatment period; and the reference period (the person time that falls outside of the three other categories).
The researchers found that per 100 person-years, the incidence rate of self-harm was 16.79 in the 90 days before treatment, 9.66 in the treatment period, 29.60 in the 14 days after the treatment period, and 6.75 in the reference period. During the 90-day period before treatment, the risk of self-harm was increased, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 1.69. The risk of self-harm decreased gradually around the time of treatment initiation and returned to reference level during the treatment period. Within 14 days after treatment cessation, the adjusted incidence rate ratio for self-harm increased to 3.02. Throughout a series of subgroups and sensitivity analyses, the findings remained consistent.
"We observed that the association of gabapentinoids and risk of self-harm is multifaceted, and the association does not support a direct effect of gabapentinoid treatment on self-harm," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
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