Researchers found the proportion of children on TennCare, Tennessee's program for Medicaid enrollees and the uninsured, prescribed antipsychotics for the first time nearly doubled from 1996 to 2001. At the same time, use of these drugs for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorders among adolescents more than tripled.
"There were three areas of concern. First, these drugs appeared to be prescribed for disorders they are not proven to treat in children; second, the side effects of these drugs in children are not well understood; and third, usage of these drugs appears to be increasing dramatically," says researcher William Cooper, MD, of Vanderbilt University, in a news release.
Researchers say that in the past, use of antipsychotics to treat behavioral problems in children and adolescents was limited due to the high risk of side effects, such as movement disorders, associated with the drugs available at that the time.
A new generation of antipsychotics was introduced in the 1990s that don't carry the risks of these traditional side effects at least in adults. But researchers say the safety and effectiveness of these drugs in children is not yet thoroughly understood.
This new generation of antipsychotics includes Clozaril, Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Geodon. They are approved for use in treating psychosis and Tourette syndrome in adults- a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and uncontrolled vocal noises.
"The newer drugs do have their own set of potential side effects, including serious weight gain, heart rhythm problems, and diabetes," says Cooper. "These are potential side effects that are not well understood when applied to children. In fact, some preliminary studies suggest that the side effects from these medications are more common and may be more severe in children than in adults."
Antipsychotic Use Rising Among Children
In the study, researchers looked at the use of antipsychotic medications among children aged 2 to 18 years enrolled in TennCare. The results appear in the August issue of Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.