Abstract
The Royal College of Psychiatrists' consensus statement suggests that prescribing high dose antipsychotic medication in children and adolescents should rarely be necessary. Our objective was to study the prescribing of antipsychotic medication in a regional adolescent unit during a three-year period. We found that antipsychotic prescribing on this unit is common in psychotic disorders and often high closes are required. This is not in keeping with the recommendations of the consensus statement. Review of clinical practice on other adolescent units is needed, together with a more comprehensive evaluation of the outcome of psychotic disorders in this age group.
Highlights
The Royal College of Psychiatrists' consensus statement suggests that prescribing high dose antipsychotic medication in children and adolescents should rarely be necessary
The Royal College of Psychiatrists recently pub lished a consensus statement on high dose astnattiepdsycthhoattic "hipgrhescdroisbeingantip(Tsyhcohmoptiscon. me1d9ic9a4t)i.onIt sahdooulelsdcenrtsa"relyandbethantec"etshsearynaturianl chhisiltdorreyn ofatnhde etoarlryemointsestpopnstyacnheoosuissly"is. forHtohwe efviersrt, foetwheerspisohdaevse held that psychotic disorders in children and adolescents are not uncommonly refractive in their response to antipsychotic medication at standard doses (Green et al, 1992), and adoles cents may tolerate adult doses with less risk of adverse side-effects (Garralda et al 1987)
Aduscptergaenrd's esmynodtiroonme)d.isorders, anxiety state and Information about prescribing practices was obtained from prescription cards contained with in the case notes
Summary
The Royal College of Psychiatrists' consensus statement suggests that prescribing high dose antipsychotic medication in children and adolescents should rarely be necessary. We found that antipsychotic prescribing on this unit is common in psychotic disorders and often high doses are required. This is not in keeping with the recommendations of the consensus statement. The Royal College of Psychiatrists recently pub lished a consensus statement on high dose astnattiepdsycthhoattic "hipgrhescdroisbeingantip(Tsyhcohmoptiscon. ForHtohwe efviersrt, foetwheerspisohdaevse held that psychotic disorders in children and adolescents are not uncommonly refractive in their response to antipsychotic medication at standard doses (Green et al, 1992), and adoles cents may tolerate adult doses with less risk of adverse side-effects (Garralda et al 1987). This study aims to provide clearer information on prescribing practices in the treatment of adolescents receiving in-patient psychiatric care
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