Conditions and symptoms
What Is Suicidality? Why Some Medicine Labels Warn About It
Suicidality · say it: soo-ih-sy-DAL-ih-teeAlso written: suicidal ideation, suicidal thoughts, suicide risk
Short answer
Suicidality means thoughts about suicide, or behaviour linked to it. Some medicine labels warn to watch closely for it.
What it means
Suicidality is a medical word that covers thoughts about ending one's life (suicidal ideation) and actions linked to suicide. It is serious and needs help. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact emergency services or a crisis line now; you do not have to wait for an appointment.
Labels for antidepressants, some anti-seizure medicines and a few others warn about suicidality. For antidepressants, the warning applies most to children, teenagers and young adults, especially in the first weeks of treatment or after a dose change. The warning is not saying the medicine will cause it; it is asking patients, families and doctors to watch closely for new or worsening mood changes, agitation or unusual behaviour and to report them straight away.
Suicidality is related to the term 'suicidal thoughts and behaviors', which is how many US labels phrase the same warning.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings on antidepressant labels
- Warnings on anti-seizure medicine labels
- Medication Guides given at the pharmacy
📄 How it looks on a report
Monitor all patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of therapy.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean the medicine will cause suicidal thoughts in you.
- It does not mean you should stop the medicine suddenly; contact your prescriber.
- Talking about suicidal thoughts does not make them more likely; it helps people get support.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Suicidality”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Suicidality”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
- Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Bupropion Hydrochloride
an aminoketone antidepressant, a type of medicine used to treat depression
- Carbamazepine
a mood stabilizer, and an anticonvulsant (seizure) medicine, according to the label
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Clonazepam
a benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system
- Diazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- Divalproex Sodium
An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) drug of the valproate type. The label also uses it to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Suicidality” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
Seeing this word on your own report? Get every line of it explained, free.
Explain my report🧩 Related words
🔎 Look up another word
More words: conditions and symptoms
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.