title: [Use of psychotropic agents for children with psychosomatic problems and developmental disorders].
abstract: A special consideration of psychotropic medication for children and adolescents in Japan is described. The use of all antidepressants and antianxiety drugs are "off-label". When using psychotropic drugs for the adolescents who complaint general fatigue, headache, or sleep disturbance, it should be confirmed the presence of the orthostatic disturbance (OD), because those drugs have the possibility of deteriorating the symptoms of OD. It is necessary to evaluate the risk and benefit for use of antidepressants in adolescents with major depression, considering the possibility of increasing suicide attempts. Long-acting methylphenidate and atomoxetine are regarded as the first line drugs for the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is expected to solve "off-label" use and to establish clinical guidelines for the pharmacological treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishizaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs