The Emergency 911 Call Goes

risperidone whereas in this one there was a fixed dose to limit breach in blinding and to facilitate comparison between similar groups, also having this fixed dosage helped prevent bias because when using a titrating schedule of dosing in a randomized trial, it tends to show bias toward a desired goal. Risperidone in this study was well tolerated and there weren’t significant differences in weight gain or sedation(13). One of the main things disliked about risperidone is its tendency to increase the incidence of dyskinesia and other extrapyramidal side effects. In this study only mild and transient dyskinesias were seen in only 3 children, however that could be due to the low fixed dosage(13) of the study.

Another name for Depakote which is typically known for is divalproex sodium and valproic acid. These two medications are used to treat a variety of seizures and mood disorders, as well as a preventative for migraines. The downside is that the side effect to this antipsychotic drug is linked to suicide, liver toxicity, pancreatitis and a variety of birth defects, including cardiovascular malformations, neural tube defects and facial deformities (drugwatch.com, nd).

Possible side effects: “dry mouth, sedation, blurred vision (disturbance of accommodation, increased intra-ocular pressure), constipation, nausea, difficulty with micturition; cardiovascular side-effects (such as ECG changes, arrhythmias, postural hypotension, tachycardia, syncope, particularly with high doses); sweating, tremor, rashes and hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, photosensitivity), behavioural disturbances (particularly children), hypomania or mania, confusion or delirium (particularly elderly), headache, interference with sexual function, blood sugar changes; increased appetite and weight gain (occasionally weight loss); endocrine side-effects such as testicular enlargement, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea; also convulsions (see also Cautions), movement disorders and dyskinesias, dysarthria, paraesthesia, taste disturbances, tinnitus, fever, agranulocytosis, leucopenia, eosinophilia, purpura, thrombocytopenia, hyponatraemia

One of the greatest concerns of psychotropic drug use in children and adolescents is that this type of medication is overprescribed. According to a report by the Food and Drug Administration, as of September 2009, “more than 500,000 children and adolescents in America are now taking antipsychotic drugs.” (Wilson, 2010) 500,000 is definitely a large number, but considering the fact that approximately one in ten children in the United States suffer from various mental illnesses, this number is actually quite low. The main reason people believe this medication is overprescribed is because many parents are simply looking for an easy way to quell their child’s hyperactivity. “’Families sometimes feel the need for a quick fix,’ Dr. Gleason said. ‘That’s often the prescription pad. But I’m concerned that when a child sees someone who prescribes but doesn’t do therapy, they’re closing the door that can make longer-lasting change.’” (Wilson, 2010)

Dr. Mejer: wrote orders for Depakote ER 500 mg 3 tabs HS #270 , ICD;F 63.9, F 70, Current Diagnosis: Impulse Control D/O NOS, ID Mild, Recommendations: continue medication, therapy & obtain employment, Lab requested: VPA level, CBC lipase, LFT, Denies exacerbation mood, anxiety symptoms, AE-? Sedation? Staff agree with prognosis; Symptoms are control. Evaluated at Mental Health-for treatment only. Labs in June. PA

The antipsychotics may cause metabolic syndrome, which is marked by an increased risk of weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Milder effects include low blood pressure, constipation, and increased heart rate and salivation. More severe responses can also develop, such as decreased white blood cells, swollen heart muscles, seizures, extremely low blood pressure, and involuntary urination. With prolonged use, patients may also acquire extrapyramidal effects or tardive dyskinesia, both of which affect muscular control.

Adverse reactions to this medication are migraine, speech disorders, rhinitis, sinusitis, hyperglycemia, elevated liver function, elevated serum creatinine level, pancytopenia, bronchitis, dyspnea, toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylaxis, elevated creatine kinase, generalized pain, and infection. Nursing considerations with this medication is to have the patient swallow the whole tablet and not to chew. Watch for aspiration while watching the patient take the medication. Educate the patient about the medication and inform them to notify a physician if bleeding

Psychotropic medications are usually, and perhaps, overly prescribed as a first-line treatment for a range of psychiatric analyses in children in a diversity of clinical settings. A psychotropic drug (psychopharmaceutical) is a chemical material that changes brain function and results in adjustments in perception, mood, or consciousness. Consequently, these alterations often cause a bevy of side effects that create significant harm to prescribed patients. The brain of a child is infinitely more sensitive and susceptible to side effects from psychotropic drugs which makes their use even more dangerous. Adding further fuel to the fire, as Kardish states, “Children in the United States are on drugs for longer and more often than kids in any other country” (2015). Together with this dark truth, the over abundant usage and steadily increasing inclination towards psychotropic therapy amongst health professionals, is eliciting a dire and troubling situation that must be addressed by the medical horizon.

Effects of antipsychotics can cause fatal injuries. From the moment a child is born to the day they turn around eighteen the child is still developing and changing. Psychiatrists many times underestimate the

During my research I didn’t come across misuse of their medication, and this is probably due to the restrictions of being prescribed this medication. I was able to find that patients with schizophrenia tend to have a lifetime of substance abuse problems. This is not seen with their medications, but other substances such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.

Promethazine was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 29, 1951. It comes in many forms such as oral tablets, rectal suppositories, cough syrup and injections. But the most commonly used form is the syrup. It works to depress the body’s central nervous system. Abusers may use this prescription to get high. Promethazine should be used responsibly and carefully. The FDA has issued a black-box warning about the use of promethazine in pediatric patients under the age of 6.

Clozapine and other antipsychotics medications usually lower the seizure threshold in patients with epilepsy (Pacia 1994). It was reported that antipsychotics showed another fatal side effect which is Neuropleptic malignant syndrome which includes symptoms such as rigidity, changes in blood pressure, confusion, unconsciousness, increased heart rate, abnormal liver functioning. (Guze1985). Antipsychotics can cause severe constipation which can even lead to bowel occlusion and death (De Hert 2011). Ischemic cholitis may also result (Shah 2013). Sedation (McManus 1999, Datto 2009), hypersalivation (Fritze1995), fever (Kohen 2009), nausea (Warner 1994), may also occur. Other lesser common side effects reported for clozapine include Colitis, Heat

Unusual uncontrolled movements (especially in the face, legs, arms, mouth and tongue) as this medication may rarely cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Strategies to improve the off-label use and dosage of drugs for infants to adolescences are to make providers aware of how dangerous prescribing these medications can be. Ideally, children should receive drugs licensed for that age group. However, relatively few medications have undergone clinical trials in children and prescribing unlicensed medications is inevitable in many indications. Labeling medications properly with correct dosages as well as labeling them for whom they should be used or may help as well. When an unlicensed medicine is appropriate, health professionals should identify whether specials or imports are available.

On January 12, 2012, it paid $5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented the prices of drugs used to treat breast cancer symptoms and epilepsy.