Is Sertraline Safe For Anxiety And Depression In A Child?

Posted on Sun, 23 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 23 Jul 2017 Answered on

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My granddaughter, age 7, has been on this drug (Sertraline 25mgs, for 3 months. Her counselor states that my granddaughter has anxiety and mild depression. Is this drug appropriate for children?
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Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is true

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

For mild anxiety and depression the treatment options include counselling and medications. Among the medications SSRI group of medications are preferred which includes sertraline, fluoxetine and escitalpram for young children.

In my opinion the prescribed medication is as per recommendations and commonly used in young children.

I hope this answers you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar