paxil

[cheri]

my 15 year old daughter was just put on paxil for depression> i was told she shouldnt be on this that st.Johns wort would be better for her. Paxil should only be perscribed to adults ,is this true?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

No, children and teens are often prescribed antidepressant medications like Paxil. Hypericum, the active ingredient in St. John's wort, may be beneficial for some people with mild depressive conditions, but its efficacy in this treatment is a matter of controversy.

[WitsEnd]

I took Paxil for about a year and when I tried to quit taking it I became very ill.  I had hallucinations and was very sick to my stomach.  I couldn't even get out of the bed.  However this medication worked extremely well for me until that time.  There are some side effects which should't affect your daughter (i.e., low sex drive, etc.) but if she could take something else I think I would try a different med.  My neice was also prescribed Paxil and she suffered from the same side effects.  Her doctor changed her to something else (not sure what) but she is doing great on it.  Hope this helps.

[terig]

My 14-year-old son was prescribed Paxil for depression.  The medication was not monitored by the prescribing psychiatrist, and we later learned Paxil is not approved for use by adolescents.  He became manic and hostile in the first three weeks (no prior history).  He eventually burned down his father's house (no history of violence or property destruction).  He is now on Welbutrin and doing well, but the family, and he, will carry this for a very long time.  I would ask lots of questions and have the dosage and the patient's response monitored VERY VERY closely.

[Kyle's Mom]

Even though Paxil is prescribed for adolescents, Paxil is not approved for kids under 18 and no long term studies have been conducted on adolescents.  Who knows what long-term usage will do to a still growing brain.

I am on Paxil and tried to take myself off over a two month period.  I had read all the horror stories about Paxil withdrawal and thought I was withdrawing slowly enough.  Not so.  I went through serotonin syndrome and would not wish for anyone to go through what I did. And I am on only 10 mg per day. If I try going off of it again I will taper off using a 6 month period. Howver, Paxil has helped me greatly and I have had no other side effects.  Just be very aware of the problems and do not let her stop taking it suddenly.

[Ciddkid]

This is real scary.  My 5 year old was given Paxil to help his insomnia.  He is also on Ritlin and adderall (adderrall) during the day for ADHD.  I understand this alone would cause insomnia.  We took him off Paxil after two weeks.  Too many drugs for this Mom to give her child.  Fortunately, he must not have been on long enough to notice any difference.

[krenshaw]

After being on paxil for approx 6 mos. life was great, then the migraine headaches began that felt my head would explode.  I quit taking paxil (cold turkey) also prescribing doctor was not monitoring properly, I began experiencing grand mal seizures only after resuming prescribed dose and going through 9 mos. of weaning was I able to finally be free of this drug. I'm very concerned because good friend has husband and now doctors want to place 11 year old son on this drug. Note:when placed on this I was in my mid-30's with no history of depression.