A small
number of
children,
teenagers,
and young
adults (up
to 24 years
of age) who
took
antidepressants
('mood
elevators')
such as
doxepin
during
clinical
studies
became
suicidal
(thinking
about
harming or
killing
oneself or
planning or
trying to do
so).
Children,
teenagers,
and young
adults who
take
antidepressants
to treat
depression
or other
mental
illnesses
may be more
likely to
become
suicidal
than
children,
teenagers,
and young
adults who
do not take
antidepressants
to treat
these
conditions.
However,
experts are
not sure
about how
great this
risk is and
how much it
should be
considered
in deciding
whether a
child or
teenager
should take
an
antidepressant.
Children
younger than
18 years of
age should
not normally
take doxepin,
but in some
cases, a
doctor may
decide that
doxepin is
the best
medication
to treat a
child's
condition.
You should
know that
your mental
health may
change in
unexpected
ways when
you take
doxepin or
other
antidepressants
even if you
are an adult
over age 24.
You may
become
suicidal,
especially
at the
beginning of
your
treatment
and any time
that your
dose is
increased or
decreased.
You, your
family, or
your
caregiver
should call
your doctor
right away
if you
experience
any of the
following
symptoms:
new or
worsening
depression;
thinking
about
harming or
killing
yourself, or
planning or
trying to do
so; extreme
worry;
agitation;
panic
attacks;
difficulty
falling
asleep or
staying
asleep;
aggressive
behavior;
irritability;
acting
without
thinking;
severe
restlessness;
and
frenzied,
abnormal
excitement.
Be sure that
your family
or caregiver
knows which
symptoms may
be serious
so they can
call the
doctor if
you are
unable to
seek
treatment on
your own.
Your
healthcare
provider
will want to
see you
often while
you are
taking
doxepin,
especially
at the
beginning of
your
treatment.
Be sure to
keep all
appointments
for office
visits with
your doctor.
The doctor
or
pharmacist
will give
you the
manufacturer's
patient
information
sheet
(Medication
Guide) when
you begin
treatment
with doxepin.
Read the
information
carefully
and ask your
doctor or
pharmacist
if you have
any
questions.
You also can
obtain the
Medication
Guide from
the FDA
website:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273.
No matter
your age,
before you
take an
antidepressant,
you, your
parent, or
your
caregiver
should talk
to your
doctor about
the risks
and benefits
of treating
your
condition
with an
antidepressant
or with
other
treatments.
You should
also talk
about the
risks and
benefits of
not treating
your
condition.
You should
know that
having
depression
or another
mental
illness
greatly
increases
the risk
that you
will become
suicidal.
This risk is
higher if
you or
anyone in
your family
has or has
ever had
bipolar
disorder
(mood that
changes from
depressed to
abnormally
excited) or
mania
(frenzied,
abnormally
excited
mood) or has
thought
about or
attempted
suicide.
Talk to your
doctor about
your
condition,
symptoms,
and personal
and family
medical
history. You
and your
doctor will
decide what
type of
treatment is
right for
you.