1. Psychiatric Medications for Children & Adolescents Lynn Baer, RN, MSN, CS

2. Overview of Presentation
Current Statistics
Stimulants
Antidepressants
Anxiety medications
Mood Stabilizers
Antipsychotics

3. Prevalence of Mental Illness Among Children & Adolescents
At any one time, about 20% of U.S. children & adolescents have at least one diagnosable mental illness (about half of those have illnesses severe enough to cause some level of impairment).
Fewer than one in five of these children receives treatment.

4. Psychiatric Medication Use Among Children & Adolescents
Six – eight million children take medications for mental health problems on any given day (about 8 – 10% of the population aged 0 – 18)
Office visits resulting in prescriptions of a psychiatric medication among adolescents increased 250% from

5. Stimulants Prescribed for ADHD
Benefits: increases focus, reduces motor activity & impulsivity
Short-acting, does not build up in the body
Controlled substance with potential for abuse

6. Stimulants Ritalin Focalin Metadate CD Concerta Daytrana patch
Adderall
Adderall XR
Vyvanse
Dexadrine
Cylert

7. Side Effects of Stimulants
Loss of appetite
Irritability
Trouble falling asleep

8. Other meds. For ADHD
Strattera
Tenex, Intuniv, Clonidine
Wellbutrin

9. Antidepressants Prescribed for depression, anxiety, eating disorders
Benefits: elevates mood, reduces anxiety
Medication must be taken daily as prescribed to build up in the body in order to see full benefits

10. Antidepressants Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)
Prozac Zoloft
Paxil Celexa
Lexapro Luvox
May take up to 6 wks to see full effect.
Difficult to overdose, less side effects than older
meds.

11. Side Effects of SSRI’s Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth
Nervousness, dizziness
Sedation or insomnia
Increased or decreased appetite
Avoid alcohol use

12. Antidepressants Novel Antidepressants Wellbutrin Effexor
Desyrel Serzone
Remeron Cymbalta
Side effects similar to SSRI’s.
Safety, effectiveness in children under 18 has not
been established.

13. Anxiety Medications Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Ativan, Valium
May be given for panic, phobias on temporary
basis. May be habit forming & can cause sedation,
incoordination, headache, confusion.
Atypical Anxiolytic: Buspar
Given for anxiety disorders. May cause
drowsiness, dizziness, headaches.

14. Mood Stabilizers Prescribed for bipolar disorder
Benefit: stabilizes mood
May take 1-3 months to see full benefit
Treatment may include a combination of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and/or stimulants

15. Mood Stabilizers Lithium
Requires blood monitoring
Side effects: drowsiness, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, thirst, weight gain
Anticonvulsants: Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal, Trileptal, Topamax, Neurontin
Some require blood monitoring
Side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, headache, nervousness

16. Antipsychotics Prescribed for bipolar disorder, autism,
psychosis, aggression, sleep, obsessions
Benefits: decreased hallucinations, delusions, increased clear, logical thinking, increased socialization, sedation, increased flexibility
Newer antipsychotics have fewer side effects and may work as well on symptoms

17. Antipsychotics Risperdal Zyprexa Seroquel Abilify Geodon Invega
Clozaril

18. Antipsychotics
Side effects: sedation or insomnia, agitation, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, nausea, motor inhibition, weight gain, and possibility of muscle rigidity, tremors, drooling, involuntary movement of body parts