Newer Medications

The "third generation" of antidepressants (so-called because they are the newest, and were developed after the tricyclics and the SSRI's) include venlafaxine (Effexor), bupropion (Wellbutrin or Zyban), nefazedone (Serzone), and reboxitine (Remiron). These are usually reserved for children and teens who don't respond to SSRIs or cannot tolerate them. Bupropion targets mainly noradrenaline, while the others target noradrenaline and serotonin, but with fewer side effects than the old tricyclics. Experience with these medications in children and adolescents is limited.

Serzone was recently taken off the market in Canada because it was linked to liver damage in some people, and concerns about Effexor and suicidal ideation have been raised, as discussed above. Activation is sometimes a problem with bupropion. For bupropion, also note that it is used in smoking cessation under the name Zyban. It is important that people do not mix Zyban with other antidepressants unless this occurs under a doctor's supervision. Remiron is the newest of the group, and experience in young people is very limited. New antidepressants come on the market quickly, however, and some of the information in this paragraph may change within a year or two.

All antidepressants can be sedating in combination with other sedating drugs (such as certain antihistamines), so check with a doctor on these combinations. Another popular combination to avoid is antidepressant + alcohol (both sedating). If it's difficult to monitor this with your teen, at least stress the importance of having one drink only and someone sober to drive him home.



If You Want Immediate Anxiety Relief, Check Out Our New Natural Technique To Stop Panic Attacks and General Anxiety Fast!