Mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants.
This article provides pediatricians and other clinicians who treat children and adolescents with a working knowledge of mood stabilizers and their potential uses in children and adolescents with mood and behavior disorders. Mood stabilizers are ubiquitous agents that are often effective in the treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorders or conduct disorders and mentally retarded patients with aggressive behavior. The authors' also discuss mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing, drug interactions, and potential uses. Following these medication details, specific information concerning the diagnosis and treatment of several child and adolescent mood and behavior disorders, and in which treatment with mood stabilizers may be helpful, is presented.
Kowatch
R A
RA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, USA. kowatch@utsw.swmed.edu
Bucci
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents