Atypical antipsychotic use in treating adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the usage, efficacy, and side effects patterns of atypical neuroleptics (atypicals) in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities (DDs) (mental retardation).

METHOD:

We undertook a chart review of adolescents and young adults (under age 25 years) seen by our specialized mental health team.

RESULTS:

Risperidone and olanzapine were by far the most frequently prescribed atypicals. Robust clinical effects were noted for both psychotic and nonpsychotic disorders. Most patients tolerated atypicals well, although a significant minority did experience neuroleptic induced movement disorders (NIMDs), particularly dystonias and dyskinesias. Female patients with DDs appear to be at particular risk of NIMDs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Atypicals are useful in treating various conditions associated with DDs. This population, however, seems particularly sensitive to NIMDs, hence caution and close monitoring are required.

• Authors: R Friedlander, S Lazar, J Klancnik
• Journal: Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie (Can J Psychiatry) Vol. 46 Issue 8 Pg. 741-5 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0706-7437 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11692977 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Benzodiazepines
• Pirenzepine
• Risperidone
• Olanzapine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Benzodiazepines
• Female
• Humans
• Intellectual Disability (psychology)
• Male
• Movement Disorders (etiology)
• Olanzapine
• Pirenzepine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Psychotic Disorders (drug therapy, etiology)
• Risperidone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Sex Factors