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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jennalouisa on February 20, 2006, at 19:05:45
Hi everybody. I have a question for you. My boyfriend, who is 15, is currently taking Effexor. He knew almost nothing about it, so we researched it and saw that it isn't safe for children under 18. He hardly even knows why he was put on this drug, and I'm wondering if anyone who is under 18 is taking the drug or if anyone has a child taking the drug. Or, at least, why would a doctor put him on something that isn't approved for teens??
Posted by summerflowers on February 21, 2006, at 3:35:36
In reply to Effexor and Children, posted by jennalouisa on February 20, 2006, at 19:05:45
> Hi everybody. I have a question for you. My boyfriend, who is 15, is currently taking Effexor. He knew almost nothing about it, so we researched it and saw that it isn't safe for children under 18. He hardly even knows why he was put on this drug, and I'm wondering if anyone who is under 18 is taking the drug or if anyone has a child taking the drug. Or, at least, why would a doctor put him on something that isn't approved for teens??
>Hi.15 is a young age.I think because of the young age you need to beware of any effects such as trouble sleeping or nightmares,feelings of anger or rage,or anything unusual,like in my husbands words feeling bulletproof,because allthough these feelings can feel good they are not safe allways,and dont feel like you have to take them.Unless they are helping.Why was your boyfriend put on them?
Posted by jennalouisa on February 21, 2006, at 9:36:32
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children, posted by summerflowers on February 21, 2006, at 3:35:36
He was put on Effexor a year ago for depression. I am very worried about him because he is also on other drugs for depression and ADHD, one of which also contributes to nightmares. He's been having nightmares since he was a child- which is why I am so confused about why he is on the drugs. I worry about him a lot because one of the drugs may mask the signs of a brain tumor, which he has had in the past. So needless to say, I'm very worried about him.....
Posted by summerflowers on February 21, 2006, at 17:15:02
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children » summerflowers, posted by jennalouisa on February 21, 2006, at 9:36:32
> He was put on Effexor a year ago for depression. I am very worried about him because he is also on other drugs for depression and ADHD, one of which also contributes to nightmares. He's been having nightmares since he was a child- which is why I am so confused about why he is on the drugs. I worry about him a lot because one of the drugs may mask the signs of a brain tumor, which he has had in the past. So needless to say, I'm very worried about him.....
>I bet you are.I hope you find some answers.And I hope you will both be OK>
Posted by Racer on February 21, 2006, at 17:19:06
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children » summerflowers, posted by jennalouisa on February 21, 2006, at 9:36:32
Based on what you're writing here, the number one concern I have is pretty basic: does he get regular attention from a doctor who understands his issues and whom he trusts? All of that is so important, for anyone, but especially when there are the complicating factors like his history of brain tumor, and being on Effexor under 18.
(As an aside -- I think it's ridiculous to say it's somehow safe AT 18, since that's so arbitrary. But, whatever...)
The reason that Effexor is not approved under 18 -- and for the other drugs, too, which don't have that approval -- has to do with the ethics of doing research on children. Not ethical, because of things like informed consent, the possibility of lasting effects on a developing brain, etc. The lack of approval, though, is mostly a case of "we don't know," rather than a "we know there's a reason not to approve." (You know: absence of evidence is not evidence of absence...) That's the main point in the lack of approval.
There is also the question about whether these drugs increase the risk of suicide. There's controversy about that with adults, and it's stronger with adolescents, probably because adults tend to have stronger inhibitory controls and be less impulsive than adolescents. That's one of those things where simply having been on the planet a few extra years really does offer a bit mroe perspective ;-)
Hope that helps.
Posted by LizinManhattan on February 21, 2006, at 22:36:18
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children, posted by Racer on February 21, 2006, at 17:19:06
Hi,
I think what Racer said is all very true, both about getting proper medical attention and the reason Effexor has not been approved for use by anyone under 18. I am almost 28 now, but I began taking anti-depressants when I was 15. My brother began when he was 14. I'm not saying that to in some way prove they're safe for people under 18, just that it isn't as uncommon as one may think.
This board is a great site for information. Another good place is Dr. Ivan Goldberg's Depression Central:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
It isn't very user friendly, but has invaluable information.
I wish you both lots of luck. Your boyfriend is very lucky to have someone as concerned as you as his girlfriend.
Liz
Posted by jennalouisa on February 22, 2006, at 0:10:15
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children, posted by LizinManhattan on February 21, 2006, at 22:36:18
Well his doctor isn't exactly talking to him much, which is why he was so concerned about taking the pills in the first place, which make him tired and sick to his stomach. But both his mother and doctor insist he stay on Effexor. And he really ISN'T being all that closely monitered...he seems to be doing alright, but... I know it's not approved because the drug hasn't been studied in children....but shouldn't that be MORE reason not to be giving it to a 15-year-old? Either way, thanks for your help =)
Posted by LizinManhattan on February 22, 2006, at 9:40:06
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children, posted by jennalouisa on February 22, 2006, at 0:10:15
Hi Jenna,
I'm sorry your boyfriend is having side effects from the Effexor. If he has only been on it for a short while they might very well disappear.It really stinks about your boyfriend's doctor not talking to him more. Unfortunately (sorry, all psychiatrists out there!) there are many many p-docs (psychiatrists) who do not really interact with their patients and who look at themselves as god. They just prescribe medicines and except the patient to deal with it. Is there any way your boyfriend can switch doctors? He should preferably try to "interview" them first if he can, to see if they would be a good fit. If your boyfriend's mom is cool, could she go in to the p-doc with him and ask the questions? Sometimes that helps.
As for giving these meds to people under 18... Well, anti-depressants saved my life when I was under 18. What would the alternative be to giving severely depressed/anxious under 18s anti-depressants? Until they figure that out I think anti-depressants are unfortunately the only option.
Liz
> Well his doctor isn't exactly talking to him much, which is why he was so concerned about taking the pills in the first place, which make him tired and sick to his stomach. But both his mother and doctor insist he stay on Effexor. And he really ISN'T being all that closely monitered...he seems to be doing alright, but... I know it's not approved because the drug hasn't been studied in children....but shouldn't that be MORE reason not to be giving it to a 15-year-old? Either way, thanks for your help =)
Posted by jennalouisa on February 22, 2006, at 10:23:39
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children » jennalouisa, posted by LizinManhattan on February 22, 2006, at 9:40:06
The one thing I'm worried about is the fact that he CAN'T switch doctors, and his mother doesn't seem to mind his side affects very much at all. But is there any other drug that is approved for teens? There must be. But for some reason they never seemed to discuss any other options with him.
Posted by Racer on February 22, 2006, at 13:42:08
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children, posted by jennalouisa on February 22, 2006, at 10:23:39
> The one thing I'm worried about is the fact that he CAN'T switch doctors, and his mother doesn't seem to mind his side affects very much at all. But is there any other drug that is approved for teens? There must be. But for some reason they never seemed to discuss any other options with him.
That's a bad situation, all around. I'm sorry he's having to deal with that.
As far as drugs approved for teens, I think Prozac is? I think that's the only SSRI that's approved. Anyone know about TCAs? They've been aroudn longer, so they might have more evidence of safety or not in teens...
Posted by ed_uk on February 22, 2006, at 14:27:01
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children, posted by jennalouisa on February 22, 2006, at 0:10:15
Hi!
As far as I know, fluoxetine (Prozac) is the only approved (licensed) drug treatment for childhood depression. Fluoxetine is rarely very effective in children however, adults tend to benefit more. Paxil, Celexa, Effexor, Zoloft and Remeron have also been tested in children suffering from depression. None of these drugs demonstrated efficacy, although occasional patients may respond well.
In general, SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants and Effexor show very poor efficacy in childhood depression. SSRIs are, however, an effective treatment for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.
Irritability, hostility, nightmares, self-harm and suicidal ideation can occur when antidepressants are used in children. Such side effects usually emerge during the first few weeks of treatment. As a result, Effexor should only be used in the treatment of childhood depression after psychological treatments have failed. If drug treatment is required, fluoxetine (Prozac) would be a more appropriate first choice than Effexor. Close supervision by a psychiatrist would be essential. GPs should not initiate antidepressant treatment in children.
Due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms, withdrawal of Effexor must be very gradual. The dose should be reduced in small steps over a period of weeks or months.
If your boyfriend appears to have benefitted from Effexor, there is no reason to worry.
Ed x
Posted by summerflowers on February 23, 2006, at 3:29:20
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children » jennalouisa, posted by LizinManhattan on February 22, 2006, at 9:40:06
> Hi Jenna,
> I'm sorry your boyfriend is having side effects from the Effexor. If he has only been on it for a short while they might very well disappear.
>
> It really stinks about your boyfriend's doctor not talking to him more. Unfortunately (sorry, all psychiatrists out there!) there are many many p-docs (psychiatrists) who do not really interact with their patients and who look at themselves as god. They just prescribe medicines and except the patient to deal with it. Is there any way your boyfriend can switch doctors? He should preferably try to "interview" them first if he can, to see if they would be a good fit. If your boyfriend's mom is cool, could she go in to the p-doc with him and ask the questions? Sometimes that helps.
>
> As for giving these meds to people under 18... Well, anti-depressants saved my life when I was under 18. What would the alternative be to giving severely depressed/anxious under 18s anti-depressants? Until they figure that out I think anti-depressants are unfortunately the only option.
>
> Liz
> > Well his doctor isn't exactly talking to him much, which is why he was so concerned about taking the pills in the first place, which make him tired and sick to his stomach. But both his mother and doctor insist he stay on Effexor. And he really ISN'T being all that closely monitered...he seems to be doing alright, but... I know it's not approved because the drug hasn't been studied in children....but shouldn't that be MORE reason not to be giving it to a 15-year-old? Either way, thanks for your help =)
>
> I was on some old tricillic antidep when I was 14 and it did absolutly nothing to help me.Only gave me the dry horrors and made me dizzy from what I remember. definatly,most importantly your boyfriend needs to have a good doctor he sees regularly and it needs to be one he feels good around and who watches him carefully and works with him ,thats real important.I hope your allright too.I had a boyfriend who was suicidal and I blamed myself,being so young too and not knowing anything.So I hope you dont feel too overwhelmed:)
Posted by jennalouisa on February 23, 2006, at 10:38:02
In reply to Anyone know if TCAs are approved for kids? » jennalouisa, posted by Racer on February 22, 2006, at 13:42:08
well hopefully everything will be alright...He doesn't seem to have any side affects that are TOO serious...but then again what side affects aren't serious? We're both trying to get a sit-down with his doctor to discuss everything. Hopefully that works =) Thanks for your help, everyone =)
This is the end of the thread.
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