Abstract
Objective: To determine national pediatric prescribing practices for psychotropic agents and to examine these practices in view of the available evidence concerning their safety and efficacy in this age group. Method: Prescribing data from 2 national databases based on surveys of office-based medical practices were determined and reviewed vis-a-vis available safety and efficacy evidence: Results: Data indicate that levels of psychotropic prescribing in children and adolescents are greatest for stimulants, resulting in nearly 2 million office visits and 6 million drug 'mentions' in 1995. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the second most prescribed psychotropic agents, while anticonvulsant mood stabilizers (prescribed for a psychiatric reason), tricyclic antidepressants, central adrenergic agonists, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and lithium were also prescribed for a substantial number of office visits. Comparison of prescribing frequencies with available safety and efficacy data indicates significant gaps in knowledge for commonly used agents. Conclusions: Most psychotropic agents require further sustained study to ensure appropriate health care expenditures and vouchsafe children's safety. Recommendations for researchers, parents federal agencies and industry are offered as a means to accelerate the pace of research progress.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 557-565 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
Keywords
- Childhood mental disorders
- Medication safety and efficacy
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Prescribing practices
- Psychopharmacology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health