Sleep medication associated with increased suicide risk

Hypnotics – including benzodiazepines (BZD) and non-benzodiazepines (n-BZD) – are commonly used to treat sleep disorders. But are these drugs linked to a higher risk of suicidal behavior? A comprehensive Danish register-based study investigated the association, and finds a significantly elevated suicide rates among users.

The study includes all Danes over 15 years old during the period 1995–2021 (over 7 million people). Data from the Danish National Prescription Registry and Cause of Death Registry were used to identify individuals treated with hypnotics and their suicide outcomes. The results showed that men treated with BZD had an increased risk of suicide, and men treated with n-BZD had an even higher risk of suicide.

Although there is likely substantial confounding by indication (i.e., that the underlying sleep disorder and mental illnesses themselves may increase suicide risk), these findings indicate that individuals treated with hypnotics have a significantly higher risk of suicidal behavior. This highlights the need for careful monitoring of the mental state of patients receiving sleep medication – especially with n-BZD.