FDA issues suicide caution on 10 antidepressants.

Byline: Karen Patterson

DALLAS _ Patients taking certain anti-depressant medicines should be carefully monitored for suicidal thinking, increased depression and other symptoms such as hostility and agitation, the federal government advised Monday.

The public health advisory, issued by the Food and Drug Administration, asks makers of 10 anti-depressants to include on their products' labels a warning that urges careful observation of adult and child patients who take the drugs.

"We are not saying not to take these products," FDA spokesman Jason Brodsky said. "We're saying we want patients to be aware of the benefits and the risks, and if they notice any of the symptoms or signs described in the advisory, to notify their physician."

Drugs covered in the warning are the brand-name Prozac (generically known as fluoxetine); Zoloft (sertraline); Paxil (paroxetine); Luvox (fluvoxamine); Celexa (citalopram); Lexapro (escitalopram);…