A review of the growing evidence base for pediatric psychopharmacology.
This article provides an update of pediatric psychopharmacologic treatment evidence and focuses on six classes of medications in pediatric populations: psychostimulants, mood stabilizers, SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, and other agents. The evidence is organized by disorder so that it is most useful to practicing clinicians. We begin each section with a brief introduction and summary of the findings published before January 1998. Priority is given to clinical trials that use random assignment and use of a comparison group (ie, placebo-control, head-to-head comparison, or cross-over design). Serious concerns remain about the efficacy and safety of many of these agents for use in children and adolescents. While a great progress is being made, there is clearly much work left to be done.
Pappadopulos
Elizabeth A
EA
Center for the Advancement of Children's Mental Health, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons/New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unite 78, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Tate Guelzow
B
B
Wong
Carrie
C
Ortega
Melissa
M
Jensen
Peter S
PS
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012449:Safety
D002491:Central Nervous System Agents