Starting my teen on Prozac

[Anonymous]

Doctor gave us a prozac prescription today -- teen has had anxiety since he was young, but now it's really ramped up in his teens. He's never taken any drug before, sans antibiotics and cold meds -- can anyone give me an idea of what to expect, and what I should look for?

[Anonymous]

For us, it was a game changer. After about a week, I noticed signs that the anxiety had loosened its grip and my DS's personality was reemerging. It took about two weeks for full effect. (And we did have to tweak the dose several times, but you have to go fairly slowly.)

[Anonymous]

It really helped my child. I think it's a good treatment option for anxiety.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised your md did not go over the basics. Prozac takes a while (4 to 6 weeks) to achieve full effectiveness. While the drug ramps up, you look for whether your kid tolerates it well. You want especially to notice whether your child is restless or agitated, gets aggressive, physically hyperactive, or displays pressured/uncontrolled speech. Other side effects to note: sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, changes in appetite, nausea. For what it's worth, my teen reports that the "prozac burp" is worse with the capsule form, and can be lessened by taking the med with food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised your md did not go over the basics. Prozac takes a while (4 to 6 weeks) to achieve full effectiveness. While the drug ramps up, you look for whether your kid tolerates it well. You want especially to notice whether your child is restless or agitated, gets aggressive, physically hyperactive, or displays pressured/uncontrolled speech. Other side effects to note: sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, changes in appetite, nausea. For what it's worth, my teen reports that the "prozac burp" is worse with the capsule form, and can be lessened by taking the med with food.

My DH took DS to the doctor --- I wasn't there. Also wanted to hear from people who had BTDT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised your md did not go over the basics. Prozac takes a while (4 to 6 weeks) to achieve full effectiveness. While the drug ramps up, you look for whether your kid tolerates it well. You want especially to notice whether your child is restless or agitated, gets aggressive, physically hyperactive, or displays pressured/uncontrolled speech. Other side effects to note: sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, changes in appetite, nausea. For what it's worth, my teen reports that the "prozac burp" is worse with the capsule form, and can be lessened by taking the med with food.

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What makes you think her md did not go over the basics? In addition to the discussion with the doctor, I usually get an information sheet from the pharmacy when the medication is picked up.

[Anonymous]

Has he done therapy for the anxiety? I was given Paxil at age 18 and now I really regret taking meds so young. It helped the anxiety but I also think it made me avoid facing the issues that caused the anxiety. I also have not been able to stay off of SSRIs long-term. I always relapse within a couple years. I know this is a characteristic of anxiety disorder but I also wonder if it is because I was exposed to the medication so young. I know you will do whatever is best for your DS but just wanted to share my experience.

[Anonymous]

Look out for suicidal ideation. It's a rare side effect, but obviously potentially deadly. Call your doctor immediately or take him to the emergency room if it happens. Doctor should have discussed with DH and it show also be on the info sheet from the drugstore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has he done therapy for the anxiety? I was given Paxil at age 18 and now I really regret taking meds so young. It helped the anxiety but I also think it made me avoid facing the issues that caused the anxiety. I also have not been able to stay off of SSRIs long-term. I always relapse within a couple years. I know this is a characteristic of anxiety disorder but I also wonder if it is because I was exposed to the medication so young. I know you will do whatever is best for your DS but just wanted to share my experience.

Yes, he's seen a therapist. But his anxiety is starting to cause him to stay away from things he likes to do. Thanks for your input. We'll keep an eye on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look out for suicidal ideation. It's a rare side effect, but obviously potentially deadly. Call your doctor immediately or take him to the emergency room if it happens. Doctor should have discussed with DH and it show also be on the info sheet from the drugstore.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I am 21 and take Prozac for severe OCD. At first the medication gave me cold like symptoms and made me depressed, but those side effects went away. I don't have any side effects other than a little weight gain. Prozac really helped me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For us, it was a game changer. After about a week, I noticed signs that the anxiety had loosened its grip and my DS's personality was reemerging. It took about two weeks for full effect. (And we did have to tweak the dose several times, but you have to go fairly slowly.)

Same here. I've got 2 kids on it, oldest started in 3rd grade, youngest started in 6th grade. There's a strong history of depression in our family - DH will always be on SSRIs and on my side, suicide. We've seen no negative side effects. I can't tell you what a huge, positive difference it has made.

[Anonymous]

It’s really helped my DS who started a few years ago - he is 14 now. If we lower his dose, his OCD symptoms return. He only has occasional flare ups of anxiety which are managed with therapy, not increasing the dose. One thing that is important to ask the doctor is which cough suppressant medicine you cannot take if you are on Prozac.

[Anonymous]

We have had two DD on it. Our DR recommended it as it is what my DH has taken since he was in his 20's and there seems to be great success children taking the same SSRI that has been successful in a genetic relative. One started at 8 years old and the other around 9 yo. It was a life changer for simmering the anxiety in both. The oldest no longer needs it. She took it for, about, 3-4 years.

[Anonymous]

Did you notice weight gain, PPs, (in your kids who aren’t also on ADHD meds that suppress appetite)?