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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Abilify Advisable For A 10 Year Old Child?

I am a school psychologist and have seen a significant increase in children being prescribed Abilify in the past 2 months. Diagnosis range in age 5-13 with either ADHD, bipolar, or anxiety and often by a family nurse practioner. Is this common? Are there studies supporting this drug in children under age 10?
Thank you for your time
Fri, 19 May 2017
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
hi sir /madam,
welcome to health care magic ,

I can certainly understand your concern about abilify prescription in children,as some studies say that it is effectively prescribed in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children, as it is also FDA Approved in them.

Definitely it has some Side Effects like tardive dyskinesia but this is the tricky situation that the psychiatrist has to be dealt with.

Apart from side effects, it has some specific advantages like long half life, once daily dosing is enough significant sedating effects , prolactin sparing when compared to other atypical antipsychotics made it superior in specific situations

I can explain you that this tricky situation can be dealt with slow and gradual titration of the dosage that is starting with the initial dose of 2 mg and gradually tapering to the target dose so if these guidelines are followed safely it can be prescribed in children of this age group, and its usuage also depends on risk benefit ratio in this age group

please post your further questions if any, i will always be available to answer them
Thank you.
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Is Abilify Advisable For A 10 Year Old Child?

hi sir /madam, welcome to health care magic , I can certainly understand your concern about abilify prescription in children,as some studies say that it is effectively prescribed in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children, as it is also FDA Approved in them. Definitely it has some Side Effects like tardive dyskinesia but this is the tricky situation that the psychiatrist has to be dealt with. Apart from side effects, it has some specific advantages like long half life, once daily dosing is enough significant sedating effects , prolactin sparing when compared to other atypical antipsychotics made it superior in specific situations I can explain you that this tricky situation can be dealt with slow and gradual titration of the dosage that is starting with the initial dose of 2 mg and gradually tapering to the target dose so if these guidelines are followed safely it can be prescribed in children of this age group, and its usuage also depends on risk benefit ratio in this age group please post your further questions if any, i will always be available to answer them Thank you.