Review of antipsychotics in children and adolescents.

Full Abstract

The use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents in the clinical setting is increasing. This article reviews 77 clinical trials published in the last 10 years, investigating their efficacy, effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetic data in paediatric populations. The diagnostic categories in which the antipsychotics are commonly used (schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, Tourette's disorder, mental retardation/subaverage intelligence, mood disorders and disruptive behaviour disorders) were used in order to review the evidence and effectiveness. All randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials from the past decade are also summarised. This review refers to recent relevant practice parameters, guidelines and reviews throughout the text. Consistent with previous reviews, it is concluded that the recent trend of increased use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents is not adequately supported by evidence. Specific suggestions have been provided on how to incorporate the existing evidence base into clinical decision making. The review ends with the authors' opinion on the clinical and research implications for the field and future directions.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Kapetanovic, Suad (S); Simpson, George M (GM);

Affiliation: University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2020 Zonal Avenue, IRD Building, Room #13, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy (Expert Opin Pharmacother), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Oct; vol 7 (issue 14) : pp 1871-85

Dates: Created 2006/10/05; Completed 2006/10/11; Revised 2008/04/14;

PMID: 17020414, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

ErratumIn: Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2007 Apr;8(5):723.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; pharmacokinetics; therapeutic use
Central Nervous System Diseases - drug therapy
Child
Child, Preschool

Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Male
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Associated Chemicals: Antipsychotic Agents (0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

Clinical, radiological and cerebrospinal fluid presentation of neurocysticercosis: a prospective study. 30 Aug 1990
The treatment of Listeria monocytogenes infections in the central nervous system. 30 Dec 1988
Chemotherapy with cisplatin for AFP-secreting germ-cell tumors of the central nervous system. 29 Sep 1986
Central nervous system and testicular involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 29 Jun 1985
Central nervous system coccidioidomycosis: a clinicopathologic study of treatment with and without amphotericin B. 29 Sep 1984
CNS cysticercosis. 30 Aug 1982
Aminophylline for methotrexate-induced neurotoxicity. 2 Mar 1995
The role of mebendazole in the surgical treatment of central nervous system hydatid disease. 30 Mar 1997
[Acquired inflammatory neuropathies in children and their therapy] 30 Dec 2000
Neurocysticercosis. 30 Jan 2003

See 100+ related articles.