Medication Guide for Severe Depressive Disorder in an 8-Year-Old Patient Introduction It takes a multifaceted strategy to treat an 8-year-old Asian girl with severe depression who has never taken psychotropic medication

Medication Guide for Severe Depressive Disorder in an 8-Year-Old Patient

Introduction

It takes a multifaceted strategy to treat an 8-year-old Asian girl with severe depression who has never taken psychotropic medication. The logic behind drug selection, dose guidelines, length of treatment, adverse effects, and other crucial factors are covered in this guide to guarantee safe and efficient care.Medication Classification and ChoiceSSRIs are generally regarded as the first choice of medication for children with depression owing to their effectiveness and amelioration of side effects compared to other types of drugs. When it comes to SSRIs, Fluoxetine (Prozac) is explicitly prescribed for the treatment of MDD in children and adolescents (Dwyer & Bloch, 2019). Thus, Fluoxetine is selected for this patient because of its availability, safety profile in children, and efficacy in treating symptoms of depression. Moreover, it has a longer half-life, which can help avoid withdrawal signs if a dose is skipped.Dosage, Frequency, and how it worksThe suggested starting dose for Fluoxetine in children is 10 mg daily in the morning to avoid sleep disturbances, which is a single dose. Fluoxetine acts on the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain and enhances its concentration. It also reduces the reuptake of serotonin and, therefore, increases mood, decreases anxiety, and provides better stabilization of the patient's emotions.