[Challenges of the use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents]

The more frequent prescription of antipsychotics with high proportion of off label use, in particular for children and adolescents, is seen in many countries, including European Union, United States and Russian Federation. In accordance to current clinical guidelines, second-generation antipsychotics are preferred in clinical practice due to the higher tolerability compared to the first-generation antipsychotics. However, second-generation antipsychotics in children and adolescents, especially in continuous use, are associated with cardiac abnormalities and metabolic disorders, including hyperglycemia, and the risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain and obesity, an increase in prolactin synthesis and hyperlipidemia. The adverse effects of antipsychotics in children and adolescents determine the need for more balanced approaches to their use, careful monitoring of the safety of treatment and the development of measures to prevent and correct side-effects of these drugs.