Abstract
Abstract The clinical use, methods of evaluation, safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs in children are reviewed. It is concluded that only the stimulants have a clearly established place, but that the less studied antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs almost certainly have a place too. While the rather ill-defined hyperkinetic syndrome is the condition par excellence for drug therapy, other diagnostic entities, notably unsocialized, aggressive, and overanxious reactions, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, school phobia, and the childhood psychoses appear to be drug responsive in some cases. Only an empirical trial of medication can answer the question of the role of pharmacotherapy in the management of the individual child. The substantial growth of pharmacotherapy in the last five years calls for a more medical and scientific approach to its use in children.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
