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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).
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.
Joe has also served as a Clinical Director of Pharmacy Services at a major metropolitan area hospital and as a Regional Director of Hospital Services for Premier Healthcare Corporation. He has served as Adjunct Professor of Psychopharmacology in the graduate School of Social Work at Southern University of New Orleans for 16 years and maintains an active psychotherapy practice specializing in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Joe is the author of Psychopharmacology: Straight Talk on Mental Health Medications, published by PESI, Inc.