Antipsychotic Prescribing and Safety Monitoring Practices in Children and Youth: A Population-Based Study in Alberta, Canada.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Antipsychotic medication use has steadily increased in Canada, with an expansion in the profile of users and the diagnoses for which they are used. The use of antipsychotics is associated with a number of adverse effects for which routine monitoring is recommended. The objectives of this study were to determine the most common diagnoses associated with antipsychotic use in children in Alberta, Canada and the proportion who receive recommended laboratory tests for adverse effects.

METHODS:

Data on dispensed antipsychotics, diagnoses, prescribers, and laboratory testing were obtained from provincial data sources. To assess the frequency of metabolic and hormonal laboratory baseline and/or follow-up testing, the sample was divided into an antipsychotic-naïve cohort and an antipsychotic non-naïve cohort.

RESULTS:

In 2014, 6916 children were dispensed at least one second- or third-generation antipsychotic. The most frequently dispensed antipsychotics were risperidone (3908 children), quetiapine (2140 children), and aripiprazole (1302 children). The majority of children prescribed risperidone were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorder. Quetiapine was mainly prescribed for neurotic disorder or depression, while aripiprazole was prescribed most frequently for conduct disorder or neurotic disorders. Among antipsychotic-naïve patients, 17% had at least one laboratory test done at baseline, and 35% had at least one laboratory test done at follow-up. In the non-naïve patients, 42% had at least one follow-up laboratory test. Lipid and glucose testing were done in less than 5% of the naïve cohort at baseline, and in less than 15% at follow-up. In the non-naïve cohort, less than 22% received lipid or glucose testing during the year 2014.

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of antipsychotic use in children in Alberta is off-label and associated with disruptive behavior disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders. The vast majority of children prescribed antipsychotic medications do not undergo recommended laboratory tests.

• Authors: Wenxin Chen, Monica Cepoiu-Martin, Antonia Stang, Diane Duncan, Chris Symonds, Lara Cooke, Tamara Pringsheim
• Journal: Clinical drug investigation (Clin Drug Investig) Vol. 38 Issue 5 Pg. 449-455 (May 2018) ISSN: 1179-1918 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 29453686 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Quetiapine Fumarate
• Risperidone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Alberta (epidemiology)
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Child
• Child Behavior Disorders (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Cohort Studies
• Drug Prescriptions (standards)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Population Surveillance (methods)
• Quetiapine Fumarate (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Risperidone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)