The Clinical Use of Risperidone in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

The Clinical Use of Risperidone in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

The use of antipsychotic drugs, one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in child & adolescent psychiatry, has been limited because of their serious side effects and questionable safety. Since 1990, however, atypical antipsychotics have been used extensively due to the low incidence of extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia. The use of atypical anti psychotics has rapidly increased in the treatment of autistic disorder and mental retardation with associated behavioral problems. In addition, the indication for atypical antipsychotics has expanded to tic disorder (chronic tic disorder and Tourette's disorder) and child onset obsessive-compulsive disorder. Recently, the use of atypical anti psychotics In the treatment of disruptive behavior disorder (conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder) and severe ADHD with violent episodes has rapidly and dramatically increased. However, clinical studies and systemic reviews of anti psychotics using In child & adolescent psychiatry are not available in Korea. Less than 50 original articles have been published in international Journals during last 20 years. The author reviewed the clinical use of risperidone reported internationally, which has been most widely and frequently used and inin the field of child & adolescent psychiatry This review could De helpful for clinicians treating child & adolescent psychiatric patients.