THE ANTIPSYCHOTICS - A PEDIATRIC PERSPECTIVE

Although pediatricians generally do not treat psychotic illnesses, it is quite relevant for physicians who care for youths to be familiar wi th the uses and risks of antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotics and their related compounds are commonly used in nonpsychiatric settings for general medical conditions. In addition, antipsychotics are freque ntly prescribed by psychiatrists not only for psychotic illness, but f ur a wide range of other conditions. Since treatment with older anitps ychotics was often associated with suboptimal symptom reduction and pr onounced side effects, newer agents have recently been developed in ho pes of circumventing these shortcomings. This article summarizes for t he pediatrician what is currently known about the use of antipsychotic s in the young, and considers the future of these newer medications in the pediatric psychopharmacology.