Side effects of second-generation antipsychotics: the experiences, views and monitoring practices of Australian child psychiatrists.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to ascertain the experiences, views and monitoring practices of Australian child psychiatrists regarding the metabolic and other side effects of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs).


METHODS
A 19-item questionnaire was posted to all members of the RANZCP Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry living in Australia.


RESULTS
Of the 290 eligible members of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 126 (43%) returned a useable survey. SGAs are commonly prescribed for a range of disorders. The majority of respondents expressed a high level of concern regarding weight gain and other metabolic side effects. Weight gain was the most frequently observed and monitored side effect in clinical practice. Other side effects were observed and monitored to a variable extent. Notably, monitoring practices did not parallel psychiatrists' reported level of concern or knowledge regarding weight gain and metabolic side effects,nor coincide with published recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is required into the use, efficacy, side effects and monitoring of SGAs in children and adolescents, and there is a need to ensure that monitoring guidelines are implemented in clinical practice. This need is heightened by the likelihood that our data on clinicians' practice, which is based on their perceptions, may overestimate what actually occurs.
Walter
Garry
G
Discipline of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia. gwalter@mail.usyd.edu.au
DeLaroche
Amy
A
Soh
Nerissa
N
Hunt
Glenn
G
Cleary
Michelle
M
Malhi
Gin
G
Lambert
Tim
T
Correll
Christoph
C
Rey
Joseph
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013648:Tasmania; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents