Use of psychotropic medications in general paediatric practice

Paediatricians contribute the greatest proportion of prescriptions for psychotropic medication to children between the ages of 3 and 14 years in Australia. Medications indicated for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are the most commonly prescribed, followed by antidepressants and antipsychotics. Outside treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, most prescribing is 'off label'. There are few searchable, up-to-date resources to guide psychotropic prescribing to children. The skill level required to manage pharmacotherapy is determined by the condition and the characteristics of the patient. Psychotropic medication should always be considered within the context of other interventions and environmental factors that influence emotions, cognition and behaviour. Beware the 'medication fallacy' that arises out of a misconception that if one medication does not work, there must be another that will.