Answers to questions about medications for children with anxiety
Your child’s doctor has recommended an SSRI for the treatment of his or her anxiety. Here are answers to the top ten questions that parents have:
What is an SSRI?
SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This group of medications increases the amount of serotonin available to neurons. Serotonin is a brain chemical that is thought to help regulate anxiety and mood.
What are SSRIs used for?
SSRIs are considered the first-choice medications for most of the anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder as well as related disorders like OCD and PTSD. SSRIs are also used for other emotional disorders, like depression.
Which SSRI is right for my child?
There are six SSRIs: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), and paroxetine (Paxil). In general, they are equally effective and safe, but only four are FDA approved for use in children (escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and sertraline). Your child’s doctor will select an SSRI based on several factors, such as whether the medication is available in liquid form if necessary, the side effect profile, the disorder being treated, and a family history of medication response.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects are nausea, headache, drowsiness, and restlessness. Fortunately, these side effects usually go away within a few weeks. In rare instances, children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) may develop new or worsening suicidal thoughts – be sure to tell your child’s doctor right away if this occurs. Your child’s doctor may also review other, rare side effects with you.
How long will my child need to take an SSRI?
It can take up to six weeks for an SSRI to take full effect, but most people notice some benefit in the first two to four weeks. Your child’s doctor will likely recommend treatment for at least six to twelve months to ensure fullest symptom recovery. However, symptoms may return after an SSRI is discontinued, so your child’s doctor might recommend longer-term treatment.
Will my child become dependent on an SSRI?
SSRIs are not addictive. They have a negligible potential for abuse, and they are not used recreationally.
Are there any alternatives?
Although SSRIs are considered the first-line medications, anxiety and related disorders can be treated using other classes of medications. Sometimes, your child’s doctor may recommend talk therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) instead of or in addition to an SSRI.
How much do SSRIs cost?
SSRIs are among the most affordable medications. All of the SSRIs are available in the generic form, and most insurance companies cover SSRIs without requiring special paperwork. Even without insurance coverage, many pharmacies provide SSRIs at a low retail cost.
How do I administer an SSRI?
All SSRIs come in pill form, and some are also available as a liquid. Most are given in a single daily dose. They do not need to be taken with food, but taking them with food can reduce upset stomach if that side effect develops.
How will my child stop his or her SSRI?
When it’s time to stop an SSRI, your child’s doctor will probably recommend decreasing the dose slowly over time. This will prevent a potentially unpleasant, albeit harmless “discontinuation syndrome,” characterized by headache and a general sense of unwellness.
Dr. Distler assists with the administration of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic and supervises psychiatry residents in both CBT and medication management. She earned her MD and PhD from the University of Chicago with honors. Her PhD studies focused on the genetic and molecular basis of anxiety. She completed her psychiatry residency at UCLA, where she was the chief resident in the Anxiety Disorders Clinic and participated in clinical and basic research on anxiety and depression.
Dr. Distler has several clinical duties in addition to her work in the Anxiety Disorders Clinic. At UCLA, she treats college students with mental illness and is the Associate Medical Director of the UCLA Aftercare program, where she treats patients with first-episode schizophrenia. She also works at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs hospital, where she assists with the administration of their Anxiety Disorders Clinic, supervises psychiatry residents, and develops residency curricula.
