Posted: October 16th, 2022

Special Considerations Related to Prescribing for Children and Adolescents

Special Considerations Related to Prescribing for Children and Adolescents
Aripiprazole is a common and effective drug for children with schizophrenia or childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (Abilify). The FDA has approved aripiprazole (Abilify) for the treatment of childhood schizophrenia in teenagers (Abidi et al., 2017). Paliperidone is an off-label drug that is effective in the treatment of schizophrenia symptoms. Atypical antipsychotics are used to treat conditions such as disinterest, unusual thinking, and inappropriate emotions (Abidi et al., 2017). Children and adults are treated with both FDA-approved and off-label drugs for childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Non-pharmacological approaches to treating childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders are effective. Individual and family therapy are both components of psychotherapy (Pagsberg et al., 2017). Individual therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can assist clients in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life. For example, psychotherapy can assist children in making friends at school and achieving their academic goals. Family therapy is recommended to ensure that the child’s family supports him or her (Pagsberg et al., 2017). Family therapy teaches family members how to communicate and resolve conflicts at home. A psychiatrist or counselor will schedule a series of sessions to achieve the desired result (Pagsberg et al., 2017). Combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to treating children with schizophrenia improves outcomes. – Thesis Writing Service In Canada
Risk Evaluation
When prescribing drugs to children, a risk assessment is required. The goal is to lower the risk of adverse reactions while also improving administration efficacy and adherence (Addington et al., 2017). FDA-approved drugs are safe because they are manufactured in accordance with federal safety standards. FDA-approved drugs are both safe and effective, with few side effects in both adults and children (Addington et al., 2017). One of the risks of the drugs is prescribing the incorrect dosage to the wrong age group.
According to studies, 54% of patients who receive off-label drugs are at risk of adverse drug reactions or allergic reactions. The risks arise because the prescription lacks strong and sufficient research data (Addington et al., 2017). Although the practice is common in pediatrics and with the elderly, it poses a number of risks to the patients.
When healthcare workers have exhausted all other options, patients benefit from the use of off-label drugs (Abidi et al., 2017). Another advantage is that off-label prescription allows healthcare workers to experiment with new ways of treating health conditions based on the most recent evidence.
Clinical Practice Recommendations
Clinical practice guidelines improve response to medical conditions. The guidelines require healthcare workers to effectively assess and diagnose the condition. The use of approved methods and assessment tools is required to promote accurate and high-quality reports (Abidi et al., 2017). Healthcare workers must plan effectively on the best strategies for treating patients. Planning should, for example, include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. The quality of the results improves when the practice guidelines are followed (Pagsberg et al., 2017). For example, healthcare workers must weigh the benefits and risks of prescribing various drugs. Medication balancing should include adjusting the dosage or using off-label drugs.
Clinical guidelines recommend that patients with mental illnesses avoid changing medications. Polypharmacy can cause patients to have mixed reactions. Side effects should be considered when prescribing medication (Pagsberg et al., 2017). Some drugs, for example, have suicidal tendencies. It is critical to educate patients and family members about the possibility of side effects (Addington et al., 2017). The precaution assists in monitoring side effects and taking significant precautions to avoid negative outcomes.

References
Abidi, S., Mian, I., Garcia-Ortega, I., Lecomte, T., Raedler, T., Jackson, K.,… and Addington, D. (2017). Canadian guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders in children and adolescents. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(9), 635-647.
D. Addington, E. Anderson, M. Kelly, A. Lesage, and C. Summerville (2017). Canadian practice guidelines for comprehensive community treatment of schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(9), 662-672.
Pagsberg, A. K., Tarp, S., Glintborg, D., Stenstrm, A. D., Fink-Jensen, A., Correll, C. U., and Christensen, R. (2017). Acute antipsychotic treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review and network meta-analysis Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(3), 191-202.

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