In treating both anxiety and depression in children, the most commonly used medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are a type of antidepressant. Although generally found to be effective in treatment, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings that these medications can lead to increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior in a small portion of children. This suggests the need for careful monitoring of children taking medications. Additional medications that are used to treat anxiety and depression are tricyclic antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that works on serotonin levels in the brain. As reported by the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration, the only SSRI approved to treat depression in children is Prozac (fluoxetine), while Zoloft (sertraline), Luvox, (fluvoxamine), and Prozac are approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. In "Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology," Robert Weis described findings from several studies including the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study Team stating that Prozac is effective in improving symptoms of depression in children and has few side effects. Weis also indicated that using SSRIs to treat anxiety has been shown to be effective as well.
Other Antidepressants
Although Prozac is the only approved antidepressant medication for children, doctors can still prescribe other drugs "off-label." Tricylic antidepressants are sometimes used to treat depression and anxiety in children. However, Weis reports that they often do not work well for children with depression. Some are effective in treating anxiety, such as Tofranil (imipramine) and Anfranil (clomipramine). Weis reported a study from the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that Anfranil can work well in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, tricyclics often have more severe side effects than SSRIs so they tend to be used less frequently. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that another type of antidepressant, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, might also be prescribed. One in particular, Effexor (venlafaxine), is sometimes prescribed to children.
Anti-Anxiety Medication
Other medications used to treat anxiety are benzodiazepines, a type of anti-anxiety medication. As reported by the National Institute of Mental Health, these medications can lessen anxiety. These medications require continually higher doses to maintain effectiveness and can lead to symptoms of withdrawal when removed. For these reasons, their use with children is curtailed. Some common medications are Xanax (alprazolam), Klonipin (Clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam).
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers on Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: May, 2007
- "Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology"; Robert Weis; 2008
- National Institute of Mental Health: Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents
- National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
