Examine the Effect of 2nd Generation Antipsychotic Medications on Children and Young Adults
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on June 12th, 2024
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In adults, it has been characterized that antipsychotic medications increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, respiratory failure, and metabolic dysfunction, and death. The usage of 2nd generation antipsychotic agents has been increased in children and adolescents, frequently, in the form of off-label use. Thus, the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development had sponsored a study to investigate the impact of antipsychotic medications on the health of children and adolescents.
The retrospective cohort study included the health records of more than 21 million children and young adults between the age of 5 and 24 years old who were diagnosed with psychiatric conditions. Around 8 million participants were prescribed 2nd generation antipsychotic medications, and the remaining 13.5 million records were used for control. Participants in this control group were taking other psychiatric medications such as atomoxetine, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or lithium. The researchers found that the usage of antipsychotic medications with a dose less than 100 mg did not increase the risk of death or cardiometabolic problems. But the usage of antipsychotic medications with a dose more than 100 mg increased the risk of overdose death and unintentional injury deaths by 57% in young adults between the age of 18 and 24 years old. The usage of high-dose antipsychotic agents did not increase the risk of suicidal or cardiometabolic death.
The retrospective cohort study included the health records of more than 21 million children and young adults between the age of 5 and 24 years old who were diagnosed with psychiatric conditions. Around 8 million participants were prescribed 2nd generation antipsychotic medications, and the remaining 13.5 million records were used for control. Participants in this control group were taking other psychiatric medications such as atomoxetine, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or lithium. The researchers found that the usage of antipsychotic medications with a dose less than 100 mg did not increase the risk of death or cardiometabolic problems. But the usage of antipsychotic medications with a dose more than 100 mg increased the risk of overdose death and unintentional injury deaths by 57% in young adults between the age of 18 and 24 years old. The usage of high-dose antipsychotic agents did not increase the risk of suicidal or cardiometabolic death.