The antipsychotics - A pediatric perspective

Although pediatricians generally do not treat psychotic illnesses, it is quite relevant for physicians who care for youths to be familiar with the uses and risks of antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotics and their related compounds are commonly used in nonpsychiatric settings for general medical conditions. In addition, antipsychotics are frequently prescribed by psychiatrists not only for psychotic illness, but fur a wide range of other conditions. Since treatment with older anitpsychotics was often associated with suboptimal symptom reduction and pronounced side effects, newer agents have recently been developed in hopes of circumventing these shortcomings. This article summarizes for the pediatrician what is currently known about the use of antipsychotics in the young, and considers the future of these newer medications in the pediatric psychopharmacology.