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Use of psychotropic medications in general paediatric practice

Philip Hazell1

  • 1Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|October 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Paediatricians frequently prescribe psychotropic medications to children, primarily for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most prescriptions outside of ADHD treatment are off-label, highlighting a need for better prescribing guidance.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Paediatricians are the primary prescribers of psychotropic medications for children aged 3-14 in Australia.
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications are most common, followed by antidepressants and antipsychotics.
  • A significant portion of psychotropic prescribing for children occurs 'off-label' for conditions other than ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the current landscape of psychotropic medication prescribing in Australian children.
  • To identify the need for updated and accessible resources for paediatric psychotropic prescribing.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering holistic interventions alongside pharmacotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of prescription patterns for psychotropic medications in children.
  • Review of current guidelines and resources for paediatric psychotropic prescribing.
  • Discussion of the complexities and considerations in managing paediatric pharmacotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Paediatricians account for the majority of psychotropic prescriptions in children aged 3-14.
  • ADHD medications are the most frequently prescribed, with antidepressants and antipsychotics also common.
  • Off-label prescribing is prevalent for indications beyond ADHD treatment.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for improved, searchable resources to guide paediatric psychotropic prescribing.
  • Effective management requires considering the child's condition, patient characteristics, and environmental factors.
  • The 'medication fallacy' should be avoided; psychotropic medication is one part of a broader treatment approach.

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