Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
05:52
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
15.4K
Use of Atypical Antipsychotics in Pediatric Populations
1Beth Heuer, Clinical Professor, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH.
Summary
Nurse practitioners are crucial for managing atypical antipsychotics in children with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other conditions. This review covers prescribing, monitoring, and discontinuing these vital pediatric medications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atypical antipsychotics are primary treatments for pediatric bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- These medications also manage behaviors in autism spectrum disorder, disruptive behavior disorders, and tic disorders.
- Nurse practitioners are key in initiating and monitoring these treatments for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics of common atypical antipsychotics.
- To guide appropriate prescribing, monitoring, and discontinuation of these drugs in pediatric patients.
- To highlight the role of nurse practitioners in managing these medications.
Main Methods:
- Review of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenomic data for specific atypical antipsychotics.
- Synthesis of current literature on prescribing, monitoring, and tapering strategies.
- Focus on medications including aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone.
Main Results:
- Detailed descriptions of the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenomic profiles of key atypical antipsychotics.
- Guidance on monitoring for efficacy and potential side effects in pediatric populations.
- Considerations for safe and effective tapering or discontinuation protocols.
Conclusions:
- Atypical antipsychotics are essential for managing various pediatric psychiatric conditions.
- Evidence-based approaches to prescribing and monitoring are critical for optimizing treatment outcomes.
- Nurse practitioners require comprehensive knowledge to effectively manage these medications in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
735
Antipsychotic drugs primarily block dopamine and serotonin receptors and cholinergic, adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors, thereby reducing hallucinations and delusions in conditions like schizophrenia. However, they can trigger unwanted extrapyramidal effects such as dystonias, Parkinson-like symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia.
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
735
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
207
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
207
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
744
Antipsychotic drugs are classified into first-generation (typical) drugs including phenothiazines; and second-generation (atypical) drugs. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine), a phenothiazine derivative, broadly impacts the central, autonomic, and endocrine systems. This drug, along with typical agents like haloperidol (Haldol), primarily works by antagonizing D2 receptors, thus reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, typical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation...
744
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
240
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
240
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
248
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
248
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
251
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
251