Prozac

Marcy - posted on 04/27/2013

my daughter was admitted for the second time to a mental hispital. she is now on 22 grams of prosac. im worry about the side effects. i visit her and she says that i make her ///.,./ depress. please help

Theresa - posted on 01/04/2012

My name is Theresa and i have delt with all kinds of thing about those medications and before leting your children take the meds look it up on the computer about it and watch the dosage and side affects that makes children do crazy things if you agree to meds tell the doctor start with small amounts and write down how the meds make them feel and act and take with to appointment.

Christina - posted on 11/10/2011

My 6yr old has ADHD, OCD, and Distributive behavior disorder today he went to the Dr and I told him the problems we are seeing with his anxiety and he wants to put him on Prozac Im so hesitant to this but I know something has to be done. He is already taking 30mg of Focalin XR, 15g Focalin XR at noon( Dr said he has rapid metabolism so his meds wear off faster) and clonedine .1mg at bed Im just afraid adding another med will be too much. Thoughts?

Puffbubble - posted on 10/25/2011

My daughter started taking Prozac in May 2011. I'm sure you have all the same concerns I had - tiredness, not being a real person, can she come off it ok, will she need it forever...etc etc.I arranged an appointment with the family doctor and presented a list of about 12-15 questions. She basically reassured me on all accounts and said it may not even suit her,so she would be closely monitored. The upside is after six weeks or so we noticed a positive difference. And now 5 months later I'm beginning to wonder if I ever want to take her off it. The change is fabulous and she's really enjoying life. It's amazing how we forget what they were like as small children - when you see that come back, it makes you realise you weren't imagining all those lovely memories.So, to your question. Yes, it can make her drowsy, so my daughter takes it around 7/8pm. It's after her evening meal and giving her plenty time to begin to metabolize before bed. I thought I was a bad mother to even be facing a doctor who recommended Prozac for my daughter. Now I realise that I was a good mother to get to that position.I worry about the kids who don't get help...

Dana - posted on 04/07/2011

My son does not have OCD but he does have anxiety and anger issues. We don't have any experience with Prozac but whenever my son has started a new medicine I've always waited for a weekend to start it. You never know what the side effects may be, and it's best to be able to monitor her. My son just started Clonidine last weekend and it made him very tired (he fell asleep during his meal). He would not have made it through the school day if I had started it during the week! After a couple of days it seemed to get better. His body just has to adjust to it I guess. Good luck!

Leslie - posted on 04/07/2011

My daughter takes the maximum dosage of prozac...80mg. We did have trouble with the sleepiness side effect for a while, but as long as she takes in in the morning, she has no problems anymore. She takes it for anxiety and OCD also. Prozac is an extremely safe drug, and it is very effective, at least in my daughter's case. Before starting it, she had regular breakdowns (crying uncontrollably) at school. She had several panic attacks that were so scary...heart racing, chest pain, hyperventilating...and even though the prozac has not stopped those completely, it has made it possible for her to recognize what is happening and to use biofeedback to calm herself down.
Also, prior to taking Prozac, her actions were controlled by OCD...affecting all aspects of her life...eating, sleeping, and almost every everyday routine. The worst one was a urination compulsion...She was so obsessed that she would go to the bathroom 4-5 times during dinner. She also would go in inappropriate places...a closet, for instance...because of the OCD. Combined with behavioral therapy, we have conquered that compulsion completely. It took over a year...no miracle cures when it comes to an anxiety disorder, but the meds definitely have helped.
I agree that you should wait and start any new medication when you can keep a watchful eye on them. Everyone is different, and you have to be aware of what they are feeling. Some people feel aggressive feelings on Prozac; some experience suicidal thoughts. It is important that your child is aware of what the medicine is supposed to do, and what is isn't supposed to do. If a child feels "bad things," they may try to hide those feelings if they aren't aware that a medicine can make those feelings happen.
Best of luck!