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The cases in this column are selected by the editors of The Journal of Family Practice from Medical Malpractice: Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska (https://www.triplelpublications.com/product/medical-malpractice-newsletter/). The information about the cases presented here is sometimes incomplete; pertinent details of a given situation therefore may be unavailable. Moreover, the cases may or may not have merit. Nevertheless, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
Suicide follows antidepressant use
A 58-YEAR-OLD MAN with unexplained weight loss, diminished appetite, increased stress, edginess, and decreased libido sought care from his physician. The doctor diagnosed depression and prescribed escitalopram, 10 mg per day. He gave the patient a 5-week supply of sample medication with no warning literature or product information. Twenty days later, the patient hanged himself at home.
PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM The physician wrongly diagnosed depression; he shouldn’t have given the patient escitalopram because the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory concerning increased risk of suicide for adults treated with antidepressants. Neither the patient nor his family was informed about the possible side effects of escitalopram.
THE DEFENSE The diagnosis of depression was proper; nothing the defendants did or failed to do contributed to the patient’s death.
VERDICT Ohio defense verdict.
COMMENT Given the FDA’s black-box warning, it is imperative that we counsel and document concerning the risk of suicide when initiating therapy for depression.
