Depression can impact anyone, including teens. Caregivers who suspect a teen is suffering from depression should get in touch with a health care professional or counselor to begin treatment right away. In addition to various types of depression pills, teens can benefit from therapy. Some teens prefer individual counseling while others benefit greatly from a group therapy setting.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI commonly prescribed to treat teen depression states TeenDepression.org. This type of drug helps teens manage depression by altering the chemicals that impact the brain. MayoClinic.com explains that it is thought SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin by specific nerve cells in the brain. This leaves more serotonin circulating in the body, specifically in the brain area. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood in a positive manner. Several other types of SSRIs are approved to treat depression including paroxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. Not all SSRIs are recommended for use in adolescents. Only a qualified health care professional can determine which drug is best for each teen.
Other Reuptake Inhibitors
Similar to SSRIs are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, or NDRIs. These drugs work by blocking the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine or norepinephrine and dopamine to allow more of the neurotransmitters to impact the brain. MayoClinic.com warns that like SSRIs, teens may experience adverse side effects including digestive problems, restlessness, headache, insomnia, increased sweating and dizziness. Specific names of this type of drug include duloxetine, venlafaxine and desvenlaxfaxine. NDRIs increase the risk of having seizures. One type of NDRI is bupropion states MayoClinic.com.
Other Antidepressants
Various other antidepressants exist but they aren't typically used in teens due to the type of side effects that are possible. Examples include tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. MayoClinic.com points out that these types of drugs can interfere with heart rate, blood pressure and weight gain. An overdose of such drugs can lead to death or severe bodily harm including heart failure or seizures. Common names for these less frequently used drugs include tranylcypromine, phenelzine and imipramine.
