Trends in the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate prevalence rates of antipsychotic use in children and adolescents from 1996 to 2001 in three state Medicaid programs (midwestern [MM], southern [SM], and western [WM]) and one private managed care organization (MCO).


METHODS
Prescription claims were used to evaluate antipsychotic prevalence, defined as the number of children and adolescents up to the age of 19 years with at least one prescription claim for an antipsychotic per 1,000 enrolled youths.


RESULTS
From 1996 to 2001, the prevalence of total antipsychotic use increased in each program (MM: 4.7 to 14.3 per 1,000; SM: 6.3 to 15.5; WM: 4.5 to 6.9; and MCO: 1.5 to 3.4). Typical antipsychotic use decreased (MM: 3.7 to 2.0 per 1,000; SM: 4.6 to 1.5; WM: 4.4 to 1.3; and MCO: 1.2 to 0.9), while atypical antipsychotic use dramatically increased (MM: 1.4 to 13.1 per 1,000; SM: 2.5 to 14.9; WM: 0.3 to 6.2; and MCO: 0.4 to 2.7).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased prevalence of antipsychotic use in children and adolescents from 1996 to 2001 was attributed to increased use of atypical antipsychotics. Given the limited data with atypical antipsychotics in youths, this emphasizes the need for additional studies of these agents and other treatment modalities in this population.
Patel
Nick C
NC
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Cincinnati, USA.
Crismon
M Lynn
ML
Hoagwood
Kimberly
K
Johnsrud
Michael T
MT
Rascati
Karen L
KL
Wilson
James P
JP
Jensen
Peter S
PS
D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents