Death due to overdose of antidepressants: experiences from Norway

Abstract

During the last 20 years the suicide rate in Norway has doubled. This also applies to suicide by intoxication. Antidepressants comprise a constantly increasing part of the intoxication means used in suicides, as demonstrated in this article. The tricyclic antidepressants amitriptyline and doxepin, the most commonly used antidepressants in Norway, are also the two leading antidepressants causing death by intoxication. Less toxic antidepressants should be prescribed whenever possible.