The new drugs are Risperdal, Zyperdal, Seroquel, Geodon and Abilify. Although the U.S. Federal Drug Administration has not specifically approved them for pediatric use, doctors are prescribing them frequently for hyperactivity, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, aggression, and schizophrenia.
The old drug, Molindone, performed better and did not cause as many serious side effects as the new ones, which cost four times more.
The study, which involved 116 children ages 8 to 19 years old, appears in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Labels: mental_health, medications, treatment_programs
Posted By: Aspen Education Group