Fears of long-term effects of anti-psychotic drugs being prescribed to preschoolers

THE number of NSW preschoolers being prescribed antipsychotic drugs has more than doubled in five years, with experts about physical and neurological effects.

Anti-psychotic drugs fear for preschoolers

THE number of NSW preschoolers being prescribed antipsychotic drugs has more than doubled in five years, with experts concerned the medications could have long-lasting physical and neurological effects.

Federal health department figures reveal that 392 children aged between two and six were given antipsychotic drugs in the 2012-13 reporting period, up from 156 in 2007-08.

There are predictions that the number of children on these medications would have again risen significantly since those figures were reported.

Child psychiatrist Jon Jureidini said parents who gave their children antipsychotic drugs were “playing with fire’’ because the long-term effects were not known.

“They are very powerful, tranquillising drugs,’’ Dr Jureidini said. “They can cause permanent neurological damage and permanent metabolic damage and almost everybody who takes them puts on weight.’’

In the latest reporting period, NSW had a significantly higher number of children and teens on antipsychotic drugs than any other state in every age category — 2-6 (392), 7-11 (1678) and 12-16 (2917).

The most popular of these medications prescribed was risperidone, which is used in the treatment of behavioural symptoms for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism.

Its short-term side-effects include uncontrollable twitching, dizziness and weight gain.

A 2013 Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee report said that the upward trend of antipsychotic drug use in children was worrying, and some doctors may be prescribing the drugs for several “non-approved uses’’ including insomnia, anorexia, nausea and “explosive rage’’.

“Of particular concern is the increasing use in younger patients,’’ the report says.

Report contributor and Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney Philip Hazell told The Daily Telegraph most doctors were very aware of the adverse effects of these types of drug and tried to keep doses low.

“Both the paediatricians and the child psychiatrists concerned are very aware of the adverse affects of these drugs,’’ Mr Hazell said.

“But in the short to medium term these medications can be quite life-changing for families. They can make a profound difference to the quality of life to the children and their families.’’

A federal Department of Health spokeswoman said several changes had been implemented following the 2013 report, including limiting the number of repeats available to young patients.