Doxycycline Causes Suicide in Teens!

My 13 year old son Damein was the happiest kid. He was handsome, 6’2″,popular, athletic, good grades, loved God and church. He was not one to give up on anything. He recently acolyted at church while he was sick with the flu and 101 temperature and could have stayed home. He went to basketball practice with pneumonia. He loved his friends and family. He read stories to his 5 year old brother at bedtime and was his 11 year old brother’s best friend. He was always laughing and happy. He was always trying to help people, either buying clothes and shoes for kids or helping at church. He christmas caroled around town and at the nursing home, by his own choice. He hugged and kissed me everyday.

Damein was not depressed, at least not by the signs we are told to look for. He didn’t withdraw from activities, he loved to be with his friends and play sports and ride his bike and run. But on the morning of Feb 29, 2012, he showered, ate breakfast and watched TV with me before school, even told me that his friends mother would bring him home after confirmation class that evening. I told him we had to get going and he went upstairs to get his backpack. He was taking a little longer than usual, so as I headed to the door I yelled upstairs for him to “Come On”. He responded, “Just give me a minute”, and pulled the trigger of his shotgun and ended his beautiful life.

My son had been taking Doxycycline for acne for a year. While the pharmaceutical companies say there have been too few deaths to spark an investigation, I’ve connected with other families who have lost children to impulsive suicide and to young people who felt driven to suicide while taking the medication.

Suicidal thoughts and actions are not listed as a side effect on Doxycycline. I want to honor my son’s life by making sure that no other lives are lost to this medication. Watson Pharmaceuticals and the FDA must investigate the link between this drug and impulsive suicide before any more lives are lost. They must include this as a side sffect and warn people. Please, sign Damein’s petition if you agree.