Atypical antipsychotic use in treating adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To study the usage, efficacy, and side effects patterns of atypical neuroleptics (atypicals) in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities (DDs) (mental retardation).


METHODS
We undertook a chart review of adolescents and young adults (under age 25 years) seen by our specialized mental health team.


RESULTS
Risperidone and olanzapine were by far the most frequently prescribed atypicals. Robust clinical effects were noted for both psychotic and nonpsychotic disorders. Most patients tolerated atypicals well, although a significant minority did experience neuroleptic induced movement disorders (NIMDs), particularly dystonias and dyskinesias. Female patients with DDs appear to be at particular risk of NIMDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Atypicals are useful in treating various conditions associated with DDs. This population, however, seems particularly sensitive to NIMDs, hence caution and close monitoring are required.
Friedlander
R
R
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Lazar
S
S
Klancnik
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine