Combined pharmacotherapy or polypharmacy?
A case of possible 'serotonin syndrome' is reported. The use of combinations of psychotropic medications to treat children with severe behaviour disorders is an increasing trend among paediatricians and child psychiatrists. Some hazards as well as possible advantages are discussed.
Levy
F
F
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Einfeld
S
S
Looi
J
J
D000374:Aggression; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000639:Amitriptyline; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005473:Fluoxetine; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors