Safety and Tolerability of Antipsychotic Treatment in Young Patients With Schizophrenia

Antipsychotics have proven efficacy for treating patients with early-onset schizophrenia, and aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone have FDA approval for treating adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. Children and adolescents appear to have a higher risk than adults for experiencing adverse events such as extrapyramidal symptoms, prolactin elevation, weight gain, and metabolic effects when taking antipsychotic medications. Pediatric studies indicate that adverse effect profiles differ among commonly used antipsychotics. Clinicians should consider the differing adverse effect profiles when choosing medications for young patients.