MEDICATION GUIDE
Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental
Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions
Read the Medication Guide
that comes with your or your family member's antidepressant medicine. This
Medication Guide is only about the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions with
antidepressant medicines.
Talk to your, or your family member's, healthcare provider about:
- all risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines
- all treatment choices for depression or other serious mental illness
What is the most important information I should know about
antidepressant medicines, depression and other serious mental illnesses, and
suicidal thoughts or actions?
1. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or
actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few
months of treatment.
2. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most
important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a
particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions.
These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness
(also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.
3. How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and
actions in myself or a family member?
- Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood,
behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant
medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
- Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in
mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
- Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call
the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have
concerns about symptoms.
Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family
member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or
worry you:
- thoughts about suicide or dying
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- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
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- attempts to commit suicide
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- new or worse irritability
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- acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
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- acting on dangerous impulses
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- feeling very agitated or restless
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- an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
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- other unusual changes in behavior or mood
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Call your doctor for
medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What else do I need to know about antidepressant
medicines?
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Never stop an antidepressant medicine
without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping an
antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
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Antidepressants are medicines used to
treat depression and other illnesses. It is important to discuss
all the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it.
Patients and their families or other caregivers should discuss all treatment
choices with the healthcare provider, not just the use of antidepressants.
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Antidepressant medicines have other
side effects. Talk to the healthcare provider about the side
effects of the medicine prescribed for you or your family member.
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Antidepressant medicines can interact
with other medicines. Know all of the medicines that you or your
family member takes. Keep a list of all medicines to show the healthcare
provider. Do not start new medicines without first checking with your healthcare
provider.
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Not all antidepressant medicines
prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Talk
to your child's healthcare provider for more information.
This Medication Guide has
been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all antidepressants.
Stat Rx USA