Guide to Psychiatric Medications for Children and Adolescents - Medications for Children and Adolescents
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CLASS: Tricyclic Antidepressants
| Benefits: This group has been used to treat depression, ADHD, enuresis and chronic pain. Unlike the other tricyclics, Anafranil is used to treat OCD.
Side Effects: Sedation, weight gain, nausea, dry mouth, constipation. May cause changes in heart rhythm. | ||
| MEDICATION NAME | NOTES | |
| Brand Name | Generic Name | |
| Tofranil | imipramine | This group of medications is now rarely used for the treatment of depression or ADHD. The SRI's have generally replaced them for the treatment of depression and Strattera has replaced them for the treatment of ADHD.
As a group they have effects mainly on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine and less so on serotonin. |
| Norpramin | desipramine | |
| Elavil | amitryptyline | |
| Pamelor | nortriptyline | |
| Sinequan | doxepin | |
| Anafranil | clomipramine | This was the first medication approved in the U.S. for the treatment of OCD. Sometimes used to augment the SRIs. |
CLASS: Other Antidepressants
| Benefits: For depression. Used for the treatment of smoking cessation (under the name Zyban) Has been used to treat symptoms of ADHD. Generally not useful for anxiety disorders.
Side Effects: dry mouth, decreased appetite. At high dose may increase susceptibility to a seizure. | ||
| MEDICATION NAME | NOTES | |
| Brand Name | Generic Name | |
| Wellbutrin Wellbutrin SR Wellbutrin XL | bupropion | Bupropion looks chemically similar to the amphetamines. |
CLASS: Other Antidepressants
| Benefits: Treats depression. May be helpful in anxiety. Some studies suggest that they can be helpful for depression where physical complaints (e.g. headaches, general pain) are a dominant feature.
Side Effects: Generally similar to the SSRI group. Remeron and Cymbalta tend to be sedating. | ||
| MEDICATION NAME | NOTES | |
| Brand Name | Generic Name | |
| Effexor | venlafaxine | Has occasionally been used to treat ADHD especially in adults. |
| Effexor XR | venlafaxine | Long acting version of Effexor. |
| Remeron | mirtazapine | |
| Cymbalta | duloxetine | This medication has both elements of both the SRI and the tricyclic antidepressants. |
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reviewed by:
Harry Croft, MD (Psychiatrist)
Medical Director, HealthyPlace.com
Created on January 07, 2009 Last Updated on July 06, 2011
In Parenting
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