Weight gain is a common and often concerning side effect of psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium, and anticonvulsants. A systematic review by Sepulvida-Lizcano et al. found that 89% of frequently prescribed psychotropic medications are associated with metabolic alterations. This is particularly concerning for children and adolescents, who are at heightened risk of weight gain […]
Category Archives: Antipsychotic Medication
Tapering Antipsychotic Medications in Children and Adolescents: Part 1 3/21/24
Although pediatricians do not often initiate prescriptions for antipsychotic agents, this and a subsequent e-newsletter edition discuss important issues in their use that can be of relevance to pediatric practice, both in managing acute clinical situations and in managing care for youth with longer term needs for these medicines. About 1% of children ages 7-12 […]
Rationale for Considering Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Medication 10/19/2017
While schizophrenia is not a common diagnosis treated in the primary care setting, it does come up on occasion, especially when a patient is past the acute phase and in a more “stable” phase of his illness. Medication noncompliance goes hand in hand with the more severe psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Really, […]