What medications are generally given to treat childhood and adolescent depression?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of fluoxetine (such as Prozac) in children and teens with depression. The FDA has not approved the use of other antidepressants in children, but they may be used. If medicine is needed, fluoxetine or another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is usually the first type of antidepressant given. Possible side effects of SSRIs, such as nausea, loss of appetite, or diarrhea, are less severe than with other medicines. Other medicines may be tried if fluoxetine or another SSRI does not reduce your child’s symptoms. A combination of medication and professional counseling, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, is usually most effective at reducing ongoing (chronic) or severe symptoms of depression.
