Appropriate Use of Psychotropic Medications in Children & Adolescents: A Clinical Monograph
Today, children and adolescents with behavioral health challenges are generally prescribed an alarming number of medications. This high prescription rate, paired with questions about the appropriateness of the diagnoses used to justify the drugs’ use, has raised many concerns among families, practitioners and youth advocates alike.
Thinking ahead about the challenge: An updated monograph
Magellan Health has had its eye on this issue for years, publishing a popular monograph, “Appropriate Use of Psychotropic Drugs in Children and Adolescents,” on the topic in 2013, which addressed the anxiety and confusion around the issue. Leveraging new data and research, we have released an update. Prescribing psychotropic medications to children and adolescents can be appropriate, but parents, caregivers and practitioners need to fully understand the risks and monitor their use.
Our updated monograph includes:
- New indications since 2013
- Brand-name medication names included on the list of psychotropic drugs commonly prescribed for children, which was a first-in-the-industry summary of these medications in the original monograph. Primary care physicians, pediatricians and behavioral health providers who treat children and teens found it extremely useful.
- A section outlining states’ approaches to children’s drug monitoring programs
Looking for more information?
Download the full monograph
At-a-glance psychotropic drug information for children & adolescents
Award-winning infographic for caregivers and practitioners (both English and Spanish)
Fact sheet for practitioners
2014 Magellan/OPEN MINDS webinar recording: Appropriate Use of Psychotropic Drugs in Children & Adolescents