Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to help inform risk-benefit analysis, treatment decision-making, and monitoring for unwanted outcomes when school-aged children are treated with psychotropic medication. This chapter reviews drugs with pediatric indications (i.e., those approved by the FDA for specific conditions and age ranges) that are currently marketed in the US and prescribed for pediatric emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). They include four drug classes and are presented in order of frequency of use within pediatric populations (i.e., 18 years and younger): ADHD drugs (stimulant and non-stimulant), antidepressants (ADs), second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), and the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and lithium. Most of the drugs reviewed have indications for a variety of pediatric EBDs, but the AEDs are only FDA-approved for a medical condition (i.e., pediatric epilepsy). To help guide the thought processes that undergird risk-benefit analysis, a framework for stakeholder’s (e.g., prescribers, parents, school professionals) communications is provided. A set of references and web-based materials are provided to readers for additional information.
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Appendices
Web Resources
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Up-to-date drug safety information for patients and providers may be accessed at the website of the FDA. Because post-approval data are continually emerging the website changes often and readers should be aware that at times dead links and other issues may complicate searches.
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https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm
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Medication Guides issued by the FDA for consumers are updated regularly.
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https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm079492.htm
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The FDA recently made available a free brochure on its website entitled “Think it Through: A Guide to Managing the Risks and Benefits of Medicines” (United States Food and Drug Administration, 2016).
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Additional Readings
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Advokat, C., Comaty, J. & Julien, R. (2014). Julien’s Primer of Drug Action: A Comprehensive Guide to the Actions, Uses and Side Effects of Psychoactive Drugs (13th ed.)
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A widely adopted textbook, encyclopedic coverage of drug efficacy and safety and basic pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanisms of action.
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Preston, J., O’Neal, J. & Talaga, M. (2015). Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Simple (3rd ed.)
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Much less detailed and considerably more reader friendly than Julien’s Primer of Drug Action. Organized by disorder and designed for clinicians.
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Wilens, T. & Hammerness, P. (2016). Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids. (3rd ed.)
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This parent-friendly book is intended to familiarize nonprofessionals about pediatric psychotropic efficacy, safety, and controversies.
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Kubiszyn, T., Mire, S.S., Meinert, A. (2019). Psychotropic Medication Side Effects in School-Aged Populations. In: Carlson, J., Barterian, J. (eds) School Psychopharmacology. Pediatric School Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15541-4_9
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