RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Relationship Between Oseltamivir and Suicide in Pediatric Patients
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 145
OP 148
DO 10.1370/afm.2183
VO 16
IS 2
A1 Rachel Harrington
A1 Sruthi Adimadhyam
A1 Todd A. Lee
A1 Glen T. Schumock
A1 James W. Antoon
YR 2018
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/16/2/145.abstract
AB PURPOSE Studies examining the association between use of oseltamivir and neuropsychiatric events (including suicide) among children have had mixed findings and have been limited by small sample size, reliance on older data, and potential confounding. We undertook an analysis that addresses these limitations.METHODS Using a national administrative claims database and a case-crossover design that minimized confounding, we analyzed data from 5 contemporary influenza seasons (2009–2013) for individuals aged 1 to 18 years and ascertained oseltamivir exposure from pharmacy dispensing.RESULTS We identified 21,407 suicide-related events during this study period, 251 of which were in oseltamivir-exposed children. In case-crossover analysis, we did not find any significant association with suicide either for oseltamivir exposure (odds ratio = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.39–1.00; P = .05) or for influenza diagnosis alone (odds ratio = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.34–1.08; P = .10).CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that oseltamivir does not increase risk of suicide in the pediatric population.