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 Medications”

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
• attempts to commit suicide
• new or worse depression,
• new or worse anxiety
• feeling very agitated or restless,
• panic attacks