THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- The drug Clozaril reduces the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior and suicide attempts in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder by 26 percent.
So says a study in a recent issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
The two-year study included 1,000 people at 60 health centers in the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. It's the first study to prospectively demonstrate the efficacy of a medication to affect suicidal behavior in any patient group.
In December 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Clozaril for treatment of recurrent suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Between 30 percent and 40 percent of people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder will attempt suicide during their lifetime, and 10 percent of them will die from suicide.
Suicide risk is especially high in males during their first decade of illness. That risk can be increased by substance abuse, which is present in about half the people with schizophrenia in the United States.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about schizophrenia.
