What Doctors Don't Tell YouProzac is not the only mood-altering drug approved for use in children. In fact, a number of drugs have been cleared for use in the under-18s even though few have been safety-tested in this age group and many produce distressing adverse effects. According to the 2003 edition of the Physicians’ Desk Reference and the US National Institutes of Mental Health, the following can all be used to treat emotional disorders in children and adolescents.
Class Children/adolescents Adolescents
Antidepressants Faverin/Luvox (fluvoxamine) Anafranil (clomipramine)
Prozac (fluoxetine) Elavil (amitriptyline)
Tofranil (imipramine) Sinequan (doxepin)
Lustral/Zoloft (sertraline) Surmontil (trimipramine)
Antipsychotics Haldol (haloperidol) Moban* (molindone)
Melleril/Mellaril (thioridazine) Navane (thiothixene)
Stelazine (trifluoperazine) Orap-TS (pimozide)
Largactil/Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
Mood stabilisers Depakote (divalproex sodium) Cibalith-S*/Eskalith*/
Tegretol (carbamazepine) Lithobid* (lithium)
ADHD Adderall* (dextroamphetamine
(stimulants/others) plus levoamphetamine)
Attenade* (D-methylphenidate)
Concerta (methylphenidate)
Cylert* (pemoline)
Desoxyn* (methamphetamine)
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
Dextrostat* (dextroamphetamine)
Focalin* (dexmethylphenidate)
Metadate* (methylphenidate)
Ritalin (methylphenidate)
Strattera* (tomoxetine)
* US-only formulations
Elliott Dacher MD
Dr. Judith Orloff MD
Kate Eckman