Several suicides and at least one homicide have been reported in
connection with interferon. Below I've posted the results of my search
for instances of suicide and homicide in patients being treated with
interferon.
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Here is an abstract of a report which describes suicidal behavior (and
one successful suicide) in patients receiving alfa-interferon:
"We report on two attempted suicides and one successful suicide during
or shortly after alfa-interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis.
While on therapy, all three patients developed a psychiatric disorder
leading to their suicidal behavior. In a survey of 15 European
hospitals, three cases of attempted and two of successful suicide
during alfa-interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis, were
additionally reported. None of the patients had a psychiatric
history."
PubMed: Suicide associated with alfa-interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?holding=npg&cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7989716&dopt=Abstract
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Suicide attempts and a successful suicide occurred during a trial of
interferon beta-1b (Betaseron):
"During the clinical trial of interferon beta-1b, there were four
suicide attempts and one completed suicide among those taking
interferon beta-1b."
National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Treatments
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Meds-InterferonBeta1b.asp
"Although some investigators have reported depressive symptoms as a
side effect in MS patients on treatment with interferon beta the issue
still remains controversial. In the pivotal study with interferon
beta-1b four patients attempted and one completed suicide over the
course of five years in contrast with no such events in the placebo
group. "
Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria: INTERFERON BETA-1A-INDUCED DEPRESSION
AND SUICIDAL IDEATION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2002000500007&lng=en&nrm=iso
"Depression, particularly transient depression soon after institution
of treatment, has been a concern with respect to interferons. In the
placebo arm, there were no suicide attempts, whereas there were 3
attempted and 1 completed suicide in the Betaseron groups. There were
no statistically significant differences between either treatment
group and the placebo group in the mean BDI score change from baseline
to any time point. The percentages of subjects in the three groups
with moderate or severe depression at any time during the study were
also similar across all groups, and antidepressant use was similar
among the treatment groups. Thus, although indirect assessments were
not consistent with Betaseron-induced depression, the 'harder'
evidence (i.e., suicide attempts) continues to raise concerns, and
suggest that the labeling warning regarding depression and suicide
should be maintained (and revised to include the data from the NA and
EU studies)."
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Medical Officer Clinical Review -
STN 103471 - Betaseron
http://www.fda.gov/cder/biologics/review/ifnbchi031403r2.pdf
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Two suicides, and one suicide/murder during a phase 3 study of
PEG-interferon alfa-2b (PEG-Intron):
"Suicide: Patient 148 was a 42 year-old woman on PEG-IFN 0.5pg/kg for
25 weeks who died by self-inflicted gunshot wound. Of note is the lack
of history of depression. No symptoms or signs of depression were
noted by the patient's physicians.
Suicide, murder, paranoid reaction in the post-treatment period:
Patient 598 was a 41 year-old man on IFN for 1 year and a history of
depression, antisocial behavior, and drug abuse."
Rochester Indymedia: Peg Intron and Interferon
http://rochester.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/504.php
"There have been five patient deaths which occurred in clinical
trials: one suicide in a patient receiving PEG-Intron monotherapy and
one suicide in a patient receiving PEG-Intron/REBETOL combination
therapy; two deaths among patients receiving INTRON A monotherapy (1
murder/suicide and 1 sudden death) and one patient death in the INTRON
A/REBETOL group (motor vehicle accident)."
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Package Insert/PEG-Intron
http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2001/pegsche080701LB.htm
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Google Web Search: interferon + "successful OR completed suicide" OR
homicide OR murder
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22interferon%22+%22successful+OR+completed+suicide%22+OR+homicide+OR+murder
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I hope this information is useful. If anything is unclear, or if a
link does not function, please request clarification; I'll gladly
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |