Prescribing psychotropic medication in children and adolescents

Psychotropic medications are a useful tool to decrease distress and improve functioning in children and adolescents who have psychiatric disorders. Such medications are safe and effective provided clinicians follow good prescribing practice.

Key Points

There are nonpharmacological options for most children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders or problems.
Pharmacological treatment of uncomplicated obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and tic disorders can be undertaken by GPs who fully understand the treatment options and side effects; however, other more complex or controversial disorders are better managed by specialist services.
When treating a child or adolescent for a psychiatric disorder, the doses recommended in this article should be followed; however, in patients who have a poor treatment response, doses in the upper range may be necessary.
An adequate trial of the drug, in adjusting and scheduling of doses, should be given before considering a change in treatment.
Growth parameters should be routinely monitored when following up patients who have been prescribed psychotropic medication.
If treatment response is inadequate, adherence to therapy should be monitored before increasing the medication dose. If multiple medications seem necessary, a specialist review should be sought.
In patients who are stopping therapy, it can be necessary, particularly with some medication, to taper the doses to avoid the development of a discontinuation syndrome.

Thursday 4 June 2026

Prescribing psychotropic medication in children and adolescents

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