Dr wants to put my 11 year old on Wellbutrin?!


Question: Dr wants to put my 11 year old on Wellbutrin.?
my son is having a hard time in life,lack of friends,argumentative,thoughts of wanting to die,anger he has been going to therapy for a year but still feels the same.I am afraid for him the Dr.gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin.Anybody have any experience with this.Please tell me your experience.Health Question & Answer


Answers:
Although I'm 37, I've been on Wellbutrin for 3 years and it's done wonders for my mental state. But, I'm an adult and that's who this product has been approved for.

This link is directly from the maker of Wellbutrin (GlaxoSmithKline) and it clearly states that Wellbutrin SR, XL or tablets are not approved for pediatric patients in the United States.
http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_wel...

This link tells you which medications ARE approved for children however it is dated 2005 so I'm sure the list has increased since then. http://www.fda.gov/Cder/drug/antidepress...

If I were you I'd get a second opinion before filling the prescription.Health Question & Answer

I spent about 3 years on Wellbutrin, and finally gave it up because I did not find it very helpful. I never had any suicidal thoughts. However, I am middle-aged, and my situation is different from your son.

Fairly recently, the FDA has declared that ALL antidepressants must give the warning that they can cause suicidal thoughts. I don't know much about that, so I will not comment on it.

My general theory of dealing with depression is to start with the safest methods first (especially for someone so young). I know the frustration of going through therapy that doesn't seem to be working, but I would not necessarily discontinue it.

I would look into alternative health approaches to depression like nutrition and vitamin therapy, homeopathy, light box therapy, etc. Children can eat a lot of sugar, and your son may particularly sensitive to that.

For someone so young, I am also curious about the possibility of a family history of depression or some kind of early trauma to him. Family history does not just mean the parents, but possibly aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.

Unless you feel your son is suicidal, my suggestion is to use gentler treatment than antidepressants (unless necessary).Health Question & Answer

There are many anti depressants that warn that thoughts of suicide might occur. BE CAREFUL make sure your son knows he needs to let you know anytime he feels something different. years ago a doctor prescribed me wellbutrin to quit smoking and it made me out of it. sort of like spacey. but i was using it for a different reason so i am not sure how he will react. main thing is please be sure your son can open up to you about anything and everything he is feeling while on these meds. also try and get him to take them at the same time every day and not miss one dose. good luck im sorry hes having a rough time :(Health Question & Answer

Eh, I don't really believe in medication children - but I trust that you believe it's necessary. Wellbutrin is a fairly safe medication and the side effects should be minimal. Suicidal thoughts caused by Wellbutrin is not common, but must be watched for. This is because the medication changes brain chemistry - something that isn't always a specific reaction. Good luck!Health Question & Answer

you need to help him with coping skills. meds will help yes but only a small bit. coping skills are the main thing. concentration breathing, helping with self asteam. i know i can preach it but i have a hard time doing it myself. almost 30 but he will see the light and get on track when he sees people who love him and want to be there for him. just show him things arent as bad as they seem. good luckHealth Question & Answer

I was 8 when i got but on Wellbutrin. It really does help. Trust in the doctor, especially if it may help!Health Question & Answer

I started having suicidal thoughts when I was at least 12. Wasnt until i was 17 til i actually attempted. Still early teen years are h*ll to begin with without having to add that kind of depression into the mix. And really for me i think back and think depression and anxiety were probably WHY i had a lack of friends and such.

Turned out i had bipolar, so have to take a moodstabalizeer too, but am on wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is a lower side affect risk AD. The most severe risk with it is seizures. Is not a high risk and im not trying to scare you by that, but it does lower the threshold for seizurs so that should be watched for, and if he has any other factors that would increase seizure risk (ever had a seizure, on any other medications that lower threshold for seizures) that should be discussed with the Dr before he starts on them. As i said, im on wellbutrin, and have even drank alcohol on it (not supposed to....increases seizure risk....never had a problem). I never really had any side effects other then it making me very manic when i was innitially put on it without a mood stabalizer since i have bipolar.

As far as hightend suicidal thoughts, i havent had that, and dont recall if it is listed as a possibility with welbutrin too, but part of it is antidepressants are changing how the brain handles neurotransmitters that effect mood, usually to raise levels of neurotransmitters between presynaptic neurons and post synaptic neurons. However not all functions of the brain are completely understood and it has been found that some antidepressants do increase that suicidal thoughts......my guess would be because of working on the wrong neurotransmitter for that person so putting things more out of balance.....but i dont know that for sure.....and im not sure if it even is known for sure what causes it. There are 3 neurotransmitters that affect mood......dopamine, seretonin and neuronepenephrin(i know i spelled it wrong.)


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