Escitalopram (Lexapro) Approved for Treatment of Major Depression in Adolescents

Escitalopram (Lexapro), has gained FDA approval for the acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents ages 12 to 17 years.

“Adolescent depression can often be challenging to treat because there are limited treatment options that are proven to be effective and well tolerated in this patient population,” noted Graham Emslie, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, in an FDA news release.

Escitalopram (Lexapro) is the second antidepressant to be approved for major depression in adolescents. The first was fluoxetine (Prozac & others).

2009-06-09T10:20:03+00:00

About the Author: joe

Joseph Wegmann, R.Ph., LCSW is a licensed clinical pharmacist and a clinical social worker with more than thirty years of experience in the field of psychopharmacology. His diverse professional background in psychopharmacology and counseling affords him a unique perspective on medication management issues. In addition to consulting with numerous psychiatric facilities, he has presented psychopharmacology seminars to thousands of clinicians in 46 states.

Escitalopram (Lexapro) Approved for Treatment of Major Depression in Adolescents