FDA approved and/or evidence-supported indications for antipsychotic medications in children and adolescents include psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, tic disorders, and severe irritability in children with autism spectrum disorders. There are both on and off label clinical indications for antipsychotic use in children and adolescents. “Appropriate ongoing monitoring” includes re-evaluation and documentation of dose, efficacy and adverse effects and targeted assessment, including assessment of movement disorder or neurological symptoms weight, waist circumference and/or BMI blood pressure heart rate blood glucose level and lipid profile at periodic intervals.ĭon’t routinely prescribe an antipsychotic medication to treat behavioral and emotional symptoms of childhood mental disorders without approved or evidence-supported indications.

“Appropriate initial evaluation” includes: (a) thorough assessment of possible underlying causes of target symptoms including medical, psychiatric, environmental or psychosocial problems (b) consideration of medical conditions and (c) assessment of any family history of medical conditions, especially of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Thorough initial evaluation to ensure that their use is clinically warranted, and ongoing monitoring to identify side effects, are essential. Metabolic, neuromuscular and cardiovascular side effects may occur in patients receiving antipsychotic medications for any indication. Don’t prescribe antipsychotic medications to patients for any indication without appropriate initial evaluation and appropriate ongoing monitoring.

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