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Use of Antipsychotics in Children Is CriticizedUse of Antipsychotics in Children Is Criticized - NYTimes.com More than 389,000 children and teenagers were treated last year with Risperdal, one of five popular medicines known as atypical antipsychotics. Of those patients, 240,000 were 12 or younger, according to data presented to the committee. In many cases, the drug was prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders.
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It's unusual to that antipsychotic drugs are used in children because of the heavy risk associated with the drugs. But, when used correctly, the drugs do have a positive role in treating some seriously demented patients, who may be incapacitated by paranoia or are self-destructive or violent. Taking the edge off the behavior can keep them safe and living at home, rather than in a nursing home.
If patients are prescribed an antipsychotic, it should be a very low dose for the shortest period necessary.
Posted by: Ajlouny | February 22, 2009 at 11:47 PM