Off-label psychopharmacologic prescribing for children: history supports close clinical monitoring.

Authors

Julie M Zito, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USAFollow
Albert T Derivan, Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USAFollow
Christopher J Kratochvil, Psychopharmacology Research Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USAFollow
Daniel J Safer, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USAFollow
Joerg M Fegert, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, GermanyFollow
Laurence L Greenhill, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed and is published in BMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Volume 2, 15 September 2008, Article number 24. The published version is available at DOI: 10.1186/1753-2000-2-24. Copyright © BioMed Central Ltd.

Abstract

The review presents pediatric adverse drug events from a historical perspective and focuses on selected safety issues associated with off-label use of medications for the psychiatric treatment of youth. Clinical monitoring procedures for major psychotropic drug classes are reviewed. Prior studies suggest that systematic treatment monitoring is warranted so as to both minimize risk of unexpected adverse events and exposures to ineffective treatments. Clinical trials to establish the efficacy and safety of drugs currently being used off-label in the pediatric population are needed. In the meantime, clinicians should consider the existing evidence-base for these drugs and institute close clinical monitoring.

Recommended Citation

Zito, Julie M; Derivan, Albert T; Kratochvil, Christopher J; Safer, Daniel J; Fegert, Joerg M; and Greenhill, Laurence L, "Off-label psychopharmacologic prescribing for children: history supports close clinical monitoring." (2008). Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers. Paper 9.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/phbfp/9

PubMed ID

18793403