Anxiety in kids: Aussie-first guidelines warn against meds as first-line therapy
Associate Professor Caroline Johnson said the guidelines 'rightly emphasise' being cautious with pharmacotherapy but said they lacked GP input.
Australian-first clinical guidelines for treating anxiety in children recommend starting with an SSRI over other medications if drug therapy is warranted but warn against pharmacotherapy as a first-line treatment.
The new guidance also suggests a ‘start low and go slow’ approach and to titrate up stepwise “to reach an effective dose that is well tolerated”.
