How long to see improvement or side effects from Prozac?

[Anonymous]

My nearly 6yo just started Prozac for emotional dysregulation/mood instability (he is already taking a stimulant and Guanfacine for adhd, may be subtly on the spectrum.)

If your child is on Prozac, how long was it before you saw side an impact - positive or negative?

My son is emotional today several hours after starting, but kind of his standard meltdowns over poor frustration tolerance so not sure it’s related.

Also interested in general feedback on whether Prozac helped your child with a similar profile. The stimulant helps a lot with his hyperactivity and some of the emotional dysregulation, but not consistently enough with the emotional Dysregulation.

[Anonymous]

It can take weeks. Often up to 6 or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can take weeks. Often up to 6 or so.

+1 It too about 4 weeks for my DS whose profile sounds similar to your DS'

[Anonymous]

Subtle changes around 4 weeks. Seemed to take full effect at 6 weeks. A few months later we noticed regression and upped the dose. She stayed to the dose for a long time.

[Anonymous]

It can take weeks for full effect. On the other hand side effects can begin as soon as 3 weeks - or each time you up the dose.

[Anonymous]

As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

Thanks! I am. My son was super hyper last night and could not fall asleep until 10pm (bedtime is 8pm.) keeping an eye on things.

[Anonymous]

A few days. It was noticeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

Thanks! I am. My son was super hyper last night and could not fall asleep until 10pm (bedtime is 8pm.) keeping an eye on things.

According to teen DS’s psychiatrist, Prozac can be very activating for some people. DS couldn’t sleep on Zoloft which is supposed to be less activating than Prozac. We had to try three different meds before we found one that worked for him with minimal side effects.

[Anonymous]

We saw no negatives and only positives when my son started prosac. Eating better, sleeping better, no more anxiety stomachaches, all started about week 2. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

+1. Suicidal and activated on day 3. It turned out that my ASD DC needed a fraction of a dose of psychiatric meds, compared to other kids their age and size. It took a psychiatrist who really understood the neurology of some ASD brains to balance medications. We had a ton of trial and error.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

+1. Suicidal and activated on day 3. It turned out that my ASD DC needed a fraction of a dose of psychiatric meds, compared to other kids their age and size. It took a psychiatrist who really understood the neurology of some ASD brains to balance medications. We had a ton of trial and error.

Yep SSRIs are serious meds. I myself am very sensitive to them and take 1/2 the “therepeutic” dose. Plus OP’s child is on a *lot* of meds (prozac + stimulant + gaunfacine.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

+1. Suicidal and activated on day 3. It turned out that my ASD DC needed a fraction of a dose of psychiatric meds, compared to other kids their age and size. It took a psychiatrist who really understood the neurology of some ASD brains to balance medications. We had a ton of trial and error.

Yep SSRIs are serious meds. I myself am very sensitive to them and take 1/2 the “therepeutic” dose. Plus OP’s child is on a *lot* of meds (prozac + stimulant + gaunfacine.)

Thanks. We are keeping a close eye on him. Ideally he wouldn’t be on three meds but his doctors approach is to add Prozac and see if it helps before deciding whether to remove the Guanfacine. We trust our doctor. He’s on a low dose of Prozac and a very low dose of stimulant.

Day 2 was a good day behaviorally and sleep wise and will continue to keep a close eye on side effects today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as negative impact, my DD had increased suicidal thoughts on Prozac and the impact was immediate (like on day 2), just in case you’re wondering about that side of things.

I’m curious which med ended up working for your child.

Thanks! I am. My son was super hyper last night and could not fall asleep until 10pm (bedtime is 8pm.) keeping an eye on things.

According to teen DS’s psychiatrist, Prozac can be very activating for some people. DS couldn’t sleep on Zoloft which is supposed to be less activating than Prozac. We had to try three different meds before we found one that worked for him with minimal side effects.