Abstract

LARES ASSEFF, Ismael et al. Pharmacoepidemiology of psychotropic drugs used in the Service of Child Psychiatry of the General Hospital of Durango, México. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2010, vol.67, n.1, pp.27-36. ISSN 1665-1146.

Background. Psychoactive drugs represent an alternative for the management of mental disorders during infancy and adolescence, which are not exempt from adverse events. We undertook this study to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and their pharmacological management in children and adolescents who attend the Child Psychiatry Service of the General Hospital of Durango, México. Methods. Clinical and pharmacological histories of 111 patients from 2 to 17 years of age under treatment for 1 year in the Service of Infantile Psychiatry of the General Hospital of Durango (SSA) were reviewed. Results. The most frequent disorder found was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (23.4%). Monotherapy was used in 23.4% of the patients, whereas in 75.6% of the cases polypharmacy was used. The most common prescribed drugs were antipsychotics, antidepressants and their combinations. Conclusion. This study emphasizes pharmacoepidemiological knowledge with the purpose of improving efficiency and safety of drug use in an attempt to optimize and individualize treatment with psychoactive drugs in pediatric patients.

Keywords : mental disorders; psychotropic drugs; pediatrics.

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