[Suicidal ideations and suicide attempts after starting on aripiprazole, a new antipsychotic drug].

In 5 patients, 3 women aged 30, 32 and 41 years and 2 men aged 36 and 56 years, serious side effects developed after starting aripiprazole, a new antipsychotic drug. 2 patients had not been treated with antipsychotic drugs before, while in 3 there was a switch in antipsychotic treatment. The side effects consisted primarily oftroubling feelings ofagitation, akathisia, insomnia and dysphoria. 3 of the patients made a suicide attempt and 2 developed suicidal thoughts. The patients had not previously attempted suicide and the suicidal thoughts disappeared after discontinuation ofaripiprazole. Suicidal tendencies have not been reported before as a side effect ofaripiprazole.