Posted: November 20th, 2024

Special Considerations Related to Prescribing for Children and Adolescents Essay

Assignment: Special Considerations Related to Prescribing for Children and Adolescents Essay.

One of the common and effective drugs for children with schizophrenia or childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders is Aripiprazole (Abilify). The medication has been widely used in various clinical settings to treat this condition. The FDA approves aripiprazole (Abilify) to treat childhood schizophrenia among teenagers (Abidi et al., 2017). This approval is based on extensive research and clinical trials that have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the medication. The off-label drug use is paliperidone, which is effective in the treatment of symptoms of schizophrenia. Paliperidone has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia in children and adolescents. The atypical antipsychotics treat conditions such as loss of interest, unusual thinking, and inappropriate emotions (Abidi et al., 2017). These medications work by targeting specific neurotransmitters in the brain that are involved in the development of schizophrenia symptoms. Both FDA-approved and off-label drugs are used to treat childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders among children and adults. The choice of medication depends on various factors, including the severity of symptoms, the child’s age and weight, and the presence of any comorbid conditions.

Non-pharmacological approaches are effective in the treatment of childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders. These approaches can be used in conjunction with medication to enhance treatment outcomes. Psychotherapy involves both individual and family therapy (Pagsberg et al., 2017). Individual therapy can help children develop coping skills and strategies to manage their symptoms. For example, psychotherapy can help the children make friends at school and achieve their learning goals. Family therapy is recommended to ensure the family supports the child (Pagsberg et al., 2017). Family therapy can help family members understand the child’s condition and develop strategies to support them. A psychiatrist or counselor will plan for a series of sessions to achieve the expected outcome (Pagsberg et al., 2017). The number and frequency of sessions will depend on the child’s needs and progress. Combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of treating children schizophrenia improves the results. This integrated approach can lead to better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life for children with schizophrenia.
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment is necessary while prescribing drugs to children. This assessment involves evaluating the potential risks and benefits of the medication. The purpose is to reduce the risk of adverse reactions, improve administration efficacy and adherence (Addington et al., 2017). FDA-approved drugs are safe since they have been manufactured according to federal safety standards. FDA-approved drugs are safe and effective with minimal side effects on adults and children (Addington et al., 2017). One of the risks of the drugs is prescribing the wrong dosage to the inappropriate age group. This can lead to adverse reactions or reduced efficacy of the medication.

Studies show that 54 percent of patients who receive off-label drugs are at risk of adverse drug reactions or allergic responses. This highlights the need for careful monitoring and follow-up when using off-label medications. The risks occur since the prescription is not backed by strong and sufficient research data (Addington et al., 2017). Although the practice is common among pediatrics and elderly patients, it presents various risks to the patients. Off-label drug use is effective among patients when healthcare workers exhaust other available options (Abidi et al., 2017). Another benefit is that off-label prescription gives the healthcare workers the freedom to explore new ways of treating health conditions based on the latest evidence.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
The clinical practice guidelines improve the response to the health condition. These guidelines provide a framework for healthcare professionals to follow when diagnosing and treating schizophrenia in children. The guidelines require healthcare workers to assess and diagnose the condition effectively. Using approved methods and assessment tools is necessary to promote accurate and quality reports (Abidi et al., 2017). Healthcare workers should plan effectively on the best strategies for providing treatment to the patients. For example, the planning should comprise both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Adhering to the practice guidelines improves the quality of the results (Pagsberg et al., 2017). For example, healthcare workers should balance between the benefits and harm of prescribing various drugs. Balancing the medication should involve adjusting the dosage or using off-label drugs.

Clinical guidelines indicate the need to avoid changing medication for patients with mental conditions. This is because changing medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms or reduced efficacy. Polypharmacy can trigger mixed reactions among patients. Prescribing medication should consider the side effects (Pagsberg et al., 2017). For example, some drugs trigger suicidal effects. It is important to educate a patient or family members on the risk of side effects (Addington et al., 2017). The precaution helps monitor the side effects and take considerable precautions to avoid negative outcomes.

References
Abidi, S., Mian, I., Garcia-Ortega, I., Lecomte, T., Raedler, T., Jackson, K., … & Addington, D. (2017). Canadian guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders in children and youth. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(9), 635-647.
Addington, D., Anderson, E., Kelly, M., Lesage, A., & Summerville, C. (2017). Canadian practice guidelines for comprehensive community treatment for schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(9), 662-672.
Pagsberg, A. K., Tarp, S., Glintborg, D., Stenstrøm, A. D., Fink-Jensen, A., Correll, C. U., & 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 & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(3), 191-202. Thompson, E. J., Wood, C. T., & Hornik, C. P. (2024). Pediatric Pharmacology for the Primary Care Provider: Advances and Limitations. Pediatrics, e2023064158. Stahl, S. M. (2024). Prescriber’s Guide–Children and Adolescents: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology. Cambridge University Press.