Suicidal thoughts can be side effect of antidepressants

Q. My 17-year-old son is feeling depressed. He is sad and tired and would sleep all day long if we allowed it.

The doctor prescribed Prozac, but after the second day of taking it my son said he had thoughts of suicide. I immediately stopped giving it to him.

I would like to know more about the alternatives for treating depression. It is very hard for him to focus, so he didn’t do well in school. The only thing that seems to interest him is composing songs and playing his guitar. I hope you can help us.

A. You were wise to be attentive to your son’s reaction to Prozac. There is a growing realization that some people may become suicidal shortly after starting on an antidepressant.

Don’t give up on treatment, though. Counseling (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), exercise, daily sunlight, fish oil or perhaps a different antidepressant might be helpful in reversing his depression.

We are sending you our new Guide to Dealing With Depression for a discussion of the various medications and nondrug approaches to treating this disorder.

Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. E-7, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I have heard about a drug available from Canada (not available in the U.S.) by the name of “Pennsat” or something similar that is only available by prescription. Would you kindly send me correct spelling and information about this drug?

A. The prescription medicine you are interested in is Pennsaid. It is a topical lotion that contains the powerful anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in a carrier called DMSO. This allows for the drug to penetrate tissues without irritating the digestive tract.

You are right that Pennsaid has not yet been approved for sale in the U.S. Your doctor can write a prescription for Voltaren gel, though, which also contains topical diclofenac. It is Food and Drug Administration-approved and available in U.S. pharmacies.

Q. For an abscessed tooth, I was given a prescription antibiotic called clindamycin. Ever since I took it, I have had unremitting diarrhea. Now my dentist wants me to see a gastroenterologist. Is there anything else I can do before going to a specialist?

A. Please make an appointment with a gastroenterologist immediately. Clindamycin can trigger dangerous diarrhea by allowing bad bacteria called Clostridium difficile (C. diff) to flourish. We don’t want to worry you, but this condition could be lethal if left untreated.

Q. You had a question from a mother whose baby has diaper rash. When my oldest daughter had very bad diaper rash as an infant, my pediatrician told me to buy Crisco shortening. (It comes in a can for baking.) I was to rub it generously all over the area. It’s an old-fashioned remedy, but it sure did the trick quickly and better than anything else from the pharmacy.

A. Wetness is a contributing factor to diaper rash, and Crisco vegetable shortening is an inexpensive moisture barrier for the skin. Other topical remedies that readers like include Maalox, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste and zinc-oxide cream.

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Favorite Home Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”

2009 King Features Syndicate Inc.