Can SSRIs be given to children?

While SSRIs have not been formally approved for use in children and teens in Canada, some are approved in the United States. Your doctor will only prescribe these medications for your child or teen when the potential benefits of using an SSRI outweigh the potential risks of not using them.

Which SSRIs are approved for children?

To date, fluoxetine [a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), also known as Prozac] is the only antidepressant approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression in both children and adolescents (ages 8 years and older).

Which medication is first-line treatment for anxiety in children?

ANTIDEPRESSANTS For most children receiving medication treatment for an anxiety disorder, we suggest first-line treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), rather than other treatments.

What is the safest antidepressant for children?

Antidepressants Approved for Children Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the first-line medication option for young people with depression. No other antidepressants have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents.

Should I put my child on anti anxiety medication?

Anxious children, especially severely anxious children, often benefit from the addition of an anxiety medication. Early treatment is important in these cases because children diagnosed with anxiety are also more likely to carry that anxiety and continue to develop it as they approach adulthood.

Can a 7 year old take anxiety medication?

For childhood anxiety disorders, only one medication, duloxetine, has received FDA approval and can be prescribed “on label” for children 7 years of age and older with generalized anxiety disorder.

What anxiety medication is safe for kids?

SSRIs are commonly prescribed for children with depression and anxiety because they are non-addictive and have relatively few side effects. Examples of SSRIs include: paroxetine (Paxil); escitalopram (Lexapro); sertraline (Zoloft); fluoxetine (Prozac); fluvoxamine (Luvox); and citalopram (Celexa).

At what age can a child take anxiety medication?

How do you treat severe anxiety in children?

Talking therapies, such as counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are popular and effective treatment options for anxiety in children. As part of CBT, a mental health professional can teach a child about anxiety and how it affects the body.

Can a child take Lexapro?

Lexapro is not approved us use in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age (5.1).

What can I give my 11 year old for anxiety?

The best anxiety medications for children are antidepressants called SSRIs. Antidepressants work very well for most children. And they work pretty quickly — most kids start to feel better after the first week or two. Usually, antidepressants can give kids long-term relief with barely any side effects.

Can childhood anxiety be cured?

It is impossible, and often counterproductive, to remove all sources of anxiety from a child’s life. A better approach is to help a child learn effective and productive ways to cope with the situations and activities that make them anxious. This will lower their levels of anxiety over time.