title: [Use of psychotropic drugs in children, adolescents and subjects with intellectual disability: a review].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In children, adolescents and subjects with intellectual disability (ID), psychotropic drugs are being used in large and increasing quantities. The aim of this article is to review efficacy and safety evidences of psychotropic drugs use in the above-mentioned patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search on this argument was conducted on Medline electronic archives encompassing english-language and other languages publications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In children, adolescents and subjects with ID, the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, besides being effective for indications in psychiatric disorders of adults without ID, is proved to have good clinical efficacy in disorders which are characteristic of such patients categories, such as pervasive developmental disorders, disruptive behavior disorders and problem behaviours. In both patients populations non-medication based strategies should be considered first. The adverse effects profiles of psychotropic drugs administered in children, adolescents and subjects with ID seems to be different from the ones registered in adults without ID, thus particular caution and precautions are recommended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the paucity of data (especially in the long term) and the metodological limitations of currently available researches, more studies are needed to develop scientific evidences able to guide practitioners in the use of psychotropic medications among childhood, adolescence and ID.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Psichiatriche, Università di Firenze.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Lazzeretti
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Pracucci
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Benni
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Godini
authors: Gabriela Alina
authors: GA
authors: Talamba
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Faravelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs