Newer Antipsychotics Useless in Treating Child and Adolescent Schizophrenia

by Rajashri on September 15, 2008 at 2:32 PM Drug News

Font : A-A+

Newer Antipsychotics Useless in Treating Child and Adolescent Schizophrenia

A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found that new antipsychotic medications were not effective in treating child and adolescent schizophrenia. In fact the study says they may even cause side effects.

The Treatment of Early Onset Schizophrenia Study (TEOSS) involved 116 youth between 8 and 19 years old. All participants were diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia.

Show Full Article

The patients were given olanzapine (Zyprexa) or risperidone (Risperdal) or older conventional antipsychotic molindone (Moban) plus benztropine on a random basis. After eight weeks it was found that 50% of the kids taking the older drugs improved, while 46 percent taking risperidone improved, and 34 percent taking olanzapine improved.

"Schizophrenia and schizophrenia-related disorders are rare in childhood. But when they do occur, those afflicted generally have more severe symptoms and a worse prognosis than those who develop the disorder in adulthood," said NIMH Director Thomas R. Insel, M.D. "The newer atypical antipsychotics are often used to treat these children, but until now, it has been unclear how effective and safe they really are in children. The side effects of the newer medications should be factored into making treatment decisions."

The details appear in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Source: Medindia
RAS/L

Post a Comment

Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. The editorial team reserves the right to review and moderate the comments posted on the site.

Notify me when reply is posted
I agree to the terms and conditions

guest

Lilly Zyprexa ' Chemical Straitjacket' Use by Children.
Zyprexa,as well as the other atypical antipsychotics, are being prescribed for children, even though this is an unapproved, off-label use. Eli Lilly has been charged in allegedly pushing the drug for children in more than one state.

A report by Dr. Cooper at Vanderbilt University states that 2.5 million children are now taking atypical antipsychotics.

St. Petersburg Times Reports on Zyprexa A risky drug may get wider marketThe FDA may approve Zyprexa for kids, despite its significant side effects in adult use.

Reply | Forward

More News on:

Schizophrenia Teenage Christianson Syndrome

What's New on Medindia

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Get Screened, Be Vaccinated

Lymphedema

Zika Virus Could Help Treat Brain Cancer: Here's How

View All

News A - Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

News Search

Medindia Newsletters

Subscribe to our Free Newsletters!

News Category

Acid Reflux Drugs may Have Adverse Side Effects for Breast Cancer Survivors Inexpensive Drug May Down Treatment-resistance in Leukemia Weed can Impair Your Driving Skills Long After the High is Gone Better malaria therapies possible by Knowing Drug Interactions Experimental Drugs Inhibit Bone Loss Due To Chemotherapy

More Drug News

News Archive

Date:
Category:
Keyword:

RapidSSL

Disclaimer - All information and content on this site are for information and educational purposes only. The information should not be used for either diagnosis or treatment or both for any health related problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician for medical diagnosis and treatment.
Full Disclaimer

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

Newer Antipsychotics Useless in Treating Child and Adolescent Schizophrenia

Post a Comment

Most Popular On Medindia:

Find a Hospital

Fongitar (Zinc Pyrithionone)

Daily Calorie Requirements