Fluoxetine under the brand name Prozac is often prescribed to treat depression in adults, but doctors sometimes use this drug to treat anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression in children. Fluoxetine is actually considered an antidepressant for children over eight years of age. Because overuse of this drug can cause serious, unwanted, unwanted, and unwanted side effects.

In this article from the magazine GCORP LLC, join us to introduce you to the benefits, side effects and method of taking fluoxetine tablets for children.

The mechanism of action of fluoxetine tablets for children

Children's fluoxetine pill belongs to the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs). The action of this pill is associated with increasing the level of a neurotransmitter (serotonin) in the brain. In fact, by selectively blocking serotonin reuptake, it increases the level of serotonin in children by neurotransmitters in children. It improves symptoms by increasing the synapse between neurons and the communication between neurons. Helps with mood, anxiety and depression in children.. On the other hand, the mechanism of fluoxetine affects other neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

Learn more:What is fluoxetine?

What are the benefits of fluoxetine tablets for children?

One of the most important uses of fluoxetine tablets for children aged seven to 17, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is the following:

1- Major depressive disorder (MDD)

This pill is usually prescribed by a psychiatrist for children with major depression.... Major depression is a mood disorder with symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness and lack of interest in activities.... Prescribing Fluoxetine 10 tablets for children is very effective in reducing the symptoms of MDD.

2- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves fluoxetine tablets for the treatment of children's OCD disorder. This disorder causes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors in children, and fluoxetine 10 can greatly help reduce symptoms.

3- attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

As we said, fluoxetine for children is approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depressive disorder.. but some doctors use this pill to control the symptoms of hyperactivity disorder in children... Fluoxetine can increase the level of serotonin in the brain by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, which leads to the control and improvement of symptoms of hyperactivity such as attention deficit and impulsivity.

Among the other uses of fluoxetine tablets for children, we can mention the treatment of the following:

• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• Panic attacks
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It should be noted that the use of this pill for children in the mentioned cases is not fully approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).. Therefore, it is recommended that fluoxetine 10 tablets be used for children under the supervision of a specialist doctor.

Learn more:What is the difference between sertraline and fluoxetine tablets?

Dosage and usual method of taking fluoxetine tablets for children

Fluoxetine tablets are a strong anti-depressant drug for adults, sometimes used by psychiatrists to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses in children. The dosage of this drug for children should be determined based on age, weight, medical history and specific conditions being treated.

In the following, you can get to know the dosage of this pill for children in cases such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder:

• The initial dose for children over eight years old and in severe depression is 10 mg per day.. If necessary, the doctor will gradually increase the initial dose to 20 mg per day.
• The initial dose for children over eight years old and in obsessive-compulsive disorder is 10 mg per day... If necessary, the doctor will gradually increase the initial dose to 60 mg per day.

Important tips for taking fluoxetine tablets for children include the following:

• You can give this pill to your child in the morning with or without food.
• Children's fluoxetine tablets should be taken according to the psychiatrist's prescription.
• Changing the dose of this medicine without consulting a doctor can cause serious side effects in the child.
• If your child has a stomach problem, it is better to give fluoxetine with food.
• It usually takes a few weeks (about 6 weeks) for fluoxetine to help improve symptoms of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.. So avoid stopping the drug arbitrarily.
• If you forget to give your child a dose, it is best to take the missed dose as soon as they remember... However, if the next dose is close, you can give your child the pill as scheduled.
• Remember, taking 2 doses of medicine at the same time to make up for the missed dose is not only ineffective.. But it can cause serious side effects in the child.

Learn more:What is the difference between Fluoxetine and Asentra?

Side effects of fluoxetine 10 tablets for children

This pill, like any other medicine, can cause side effects, which include the following:

Common side effects

The most common side effects of fluoxetine for children are:

• diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Headache
sleepiness
• dizziness
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia or nightmare)
• head style
• Profuse perspiration
• vibration
dry mouth

Learn more:What is citalopram tablet?

A small percentage of children taking fluoxetine may experience impulsivity, restlessness, or irritability...these symptoms usually appear in children with bipolar disorder or people prone to it.

Serious side effects

If you notice any of the following symptoms in your child, stop the medicine immediately and tell the doctor:

• New symptoms of depression or worsening of the child's anxiety
• Panic attacks such as difficulty in breathing and increased heart rate
• Lack of coordination of body parts with each other
• Severe restlessness of the child
• Manic phase symptoms such as stressed speech, rapid thoughts
• Uncontrollable violence
• Abnormal changes in behavior or mood
• Suicidal thoughts
• Serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by too much serotonin in the body)
• Seizures
• Allergic reaction such as itching of the skin, sudden swelling of the face, tongue and lips
• Difficulty in swallowing

Read more: How to take Altadin tablets

Doctors believe that this drug can reduce the child's alertness to some extent.. So don't let your child take fluoxetine alone.. It is better to monitor your child's activity for a few hours after taking this pill.. It is also recommended that children do not do activities that require a lot of alertness, such as cycling, in the early hours of taking this pill.

Precautions and contraindications of fluoxetine for children

The doctor does not recommend fluoxetine tablets for children in the following conditions:

• The child's sensitivity to fluoxetine or its ingredients
• Simultaneous use of this pill with thyroidazine or monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• bipolar disorder
• Seizure history
Kidney disease
• Liver failure
• Heart problems
• Diabetes

Learn more: The right time to use Pedilact drops

Guide to see a doctor

Doctors usually use fluoxetine tablets when children are suffering from symptoms of severe depression, anxiety, severe panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder.... This pill is a strong antidepressant and should be used under the supervision of a psychiatrist for children..

Learn more:What is chlordiazepoxide pill?... a pill to deal with anxiety!

You can visit the GCORP LLC website and consult with the best mental health professionals to make sure fluoxetine is right for your child's particular situation.. GCORP LLC has made it possible for you to make an appointment with the doctor of your choice through this series' online appointment system... take it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: verywellmind | mskcc