HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Dr wants to put my 16yr old on prozac (fluoxetine) for selective mutism. worried about side effects and long term effects? does it stunt growth? risks vs benefits?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Alan Ali answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Prozac (fluoxetine): It inhibits reuptake of serotonin, hence increases available serotonin. No effect o growth. Initial side-effects mainly nausea & headaches & some irritability. Benefits is that it can help moods & anxiety.

Dr Saghafi agreed

Answered 4/17/2015

2.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

A 13 year girl is cutting put her in a hospital for distured kids. Dr. Wants to put her on prozac (fluoxetine). What ill effects could this on her. Is her brain ok to handle this drug.

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Dr prescribed generic prozac (fluoxetine). 10mg. Scared of side effects. For my OCD, panic, & anxiety. Is this med safe and effective? I'm so scared to take it

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

On citalopram for 3 days but have side effects, and increased anxiety and panic attacks u think a dr could change me to Prozac (fluoxetine) since its fast acting?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

What can you tell me about prozac (fluoxetine)? What are the usual side effects? What should I watch out for? Do I have to take it with food?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Taken 80mg Prozac (fluoxetine) for two months, safe to quit cold turkey? Not helping depression and too many side effects. Would rather be off meds quite frankly.

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

If a person with tx-resistant depression is put on 80mg Prozac (fluoxetine) for a wk and has no side effects or reported benefits, does it make sense to try 120mg?
I was put on Prozac (fluoxetine) for severe depression. What side effects should I be watching for?
Because of side effects is it ok for a 65 yr old woman to take 20 mg of Prozac (fluoxetine) every other day?
I was taking fluoxetine/prozac from 15 to 20 years old, can this affect my growth/development?
I'm a 16 year old girl (120 lb) that has been taking 20 mg of Prozac (fluoxetine) daily; would taking 100 mg at once put me in the hospital?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.