http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/article987612.ece

"Introduced in the 1990s for treatment of adult schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, the new class of drugs, called "atypicals,'' were touted as causing fewer side effects than first-generation, "typical" antipsychotics, such as Haldol. Despite their limited approved use, atypicals rapidly became best sellers, prescribed to adults for everything from mild dementia to insomnia.

Pediatric prescriptions skyrocketed as well, as doctors and parents alike became enamored of atypicals' ability to calm even the most fractious child. Though drug companies cannot promote unapproved or off-label uses, doctors can write such prescriptions. Atypical sales reps became frequent visitors to pediatricians' offices, often dropping off samples.

"Eighty percent of all the drugs a pediatrician uses are off-label because nobody tests drugs on kids," said Hubbard. "Unfortunately they don't let the companies sample atypicals to pediatricians anymore."


I don't know what to think about this, on another board (Autism support) the parents are praising this, my son meanwhile takes Risperdal for aggression and behavior impulse control, we've been afraid it's not helping and are seriously considering weaning him off it. I am of a mixed mind with regard to this subject but I thought it important enough to post here.

Obviously, like when they opened the doors to mental institutions and just dumped patients on the streets... there needed to be an alternative support system.

In this case as well, it is not right to say, "Not this". If NOT that, then what is to be used instead?

We have been through this with children in the extended family. At the time of antipsychotic use, nothing else was offered. There were alternatives, but nothing else was mentioned.

Jaspar

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/130142.php

"Side effects of Risperdal include weight gain, metabolic disorders and muscular tics that can become permanent. Between 2003 and the first quarter of 2008, 1,207 children experienced serious side effects related to the drug, and 31 of them died. At least 11 of the deaths were among children who had conditions Risperdal did not receive FDA approval to treat."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...2.4ac00bc.html

Legislation requires doctors to get state permission before prescribing psychiatric drugs for kids on Medicaid

12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2009