Does Prozac Stunt Growth? (+3 Factors)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 30/01/2024 | Next review date: 30/01/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

View More north_east

In this article, we will discuss whether Prozac can stunt growth. We will also discuss the mechanism by which it affects the growth of children and some factors affecting growth during Prozac treatment.

Does Prozac stunt growth?

Prozac does not necessarily cause stunted growth. It is recommended that a child’s weight and height be checked often if they are taking this medication.

Prozac (Fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder and other related mental health disorders (1).

Stunted growth typically refers to a significant and permanent impairment in a person’s physical growth, particularly in height.

Prozac may not directly affect growth but may cause a decrease in appetite. This side effect may lead to inadequate food intake and weight loss, potentially resulting in malnutrition. If Prozac-induced decreased appetite persists for a long time, growth may be affected.

Do not take any antidepressants on your own; always consult your healthcare provider. They may evaluate your current symptoms, underlying medical condition, and family history before prescribing Prozac.

What does research suggest?

Limited research data exist regarding the effects of Poac on growth. However, some research studies have shown that SSRIs may affect the growth of individuals, especially during puberty. When SSRIs are used in adolescence, they can impact the height of individuals.

SSRIs may affect the release of growth hormones and mainly affect boys during puberty. The study suggested that the effect on growth hormones may also lead to other problems such as increased fat levels, psychological issues, and an increased risk of depression (2).

The effects of SSRIs on newborn growth were also studied during a clinical trial, suggesting that SSRIs do not cause growth effects when used during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. However, this study has its limitations (3).

Is there any correlation between Prozac use and stunted growth?

A research study found a relationship between Prozac use and growth issues. SSRIs can affect the growth and puberty of children. Those administered SSRIs for up to 5 years did not grow as expected during a stage where growth was expected.

This stunted growth was due to the effect of SSRIs on the release of growth hormones, and it turned normal when the therapy was discontinued. Therefore, close monitoring is advisable when prescribing Prozac to children and teenagers (4).

Furthermore, changes in serotonin signalling that normally regulates skeletal health may occur when SSRIs are used. With chronic use, SSRIs may decrease bone formation, resulting in an imbalance between bone breakdown and bone build-up.

If your child is on Prozac or any other SSRI such as Sertraline, Citalopram etc and you are concerned about the growth of your child, it is advised to contact your healthcare provider for a thorough assessment of the risks and benefits related to Prozac use.

What affects Prozac-induced growth impairment?

Several factors could potentially influence the risk of growth problems while using Prozac. These include:

Variations in genes related to drug metabolism or the serotonin system could potentially influence the risk of growth problems.
A diet lacking essential nutrients can impair growth, and this could be increased by Prozac’s side effects.
Physical activity levels, sleep patterns and stress levels can all influence growth and development. These could potentially interact with medication effects to affect growth.
Certain health conditions, hormonal imbalances or chronic illnesses can impair growth alongside Prozac.
If an individual is taking other medications in addition to Prozac, these could potentially interact to affect growth.

It is important to note that these are the potential factors and the relationship between these factors and Prozac-induced growth impairment is not fully understood. More research is needed to fully understand these relationships.

What to do if stunted growth occurs while taking Prozac?

If you suspect that stunted growth is occurring while taking Prozac, reach out to your healthcare provider. They will assess your overall health and medical history to determine if Prozac is the main culprit or not.

If stunted growth is related to Prozac, your healthcare provider may consider adjusting the dosage, switching to an alternative medication or addressing any potential underlying causes.

Always remember not to discontinue your medication on your own as it can cause horrible withdrawal symptoms (5).

Ensure that you are maintaining a balanced diet with proper nutrition to support healthy growth. Make lifestyle changes, like regular physical activity to promote overall well-being.

According to my research analysis, Prozac has a potential link to growth issues when used for anxiety and depression. Children and teenagers are more susceptible to experiencing growth effects while taking Prozac. Regular monitoring is advisable when Prozac is recommended to young patients.