Psychotropic drug use in a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatry clinic

Objective: The recent studies show that psychotropic drug use in in-patient psychiatric treatments of child and adolescents has been increasing. In our country, the literature regarding the psychotropic drug use of in-patient treatment settings is very limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychopharmacologic interventions in our in-patient unit, which is one of the few inpatient child and adolescent clinics in Turkey.

Method: The patients’ records whose psychiatric treatments had been conducted between September 2011 and September 2012 in Manisa Mental Health Hospital Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service In-Patient Unit were investigated. The medication that had been given was reported according to the groups (antipsychotic, antidepressants, etc), of active pharmaceutical substance and poly-pharmacy alternatives.

Results: 212 patients were recruited in the study. 201 patients (94.8%) that were taken into study had been given psychotropic agent. Antipsychotics were the most preferred drugs (84.9%) in the treatment. According to the frequency of the drug usage, the other most common ones were antidepressants, anti-anxiety and mood stabilizers in turn. On the other hand, in 152 patients (76.9%), at least two psychotropic agents were used.

Conclusion: Results were discussed in relation to the literature regarding psychiatric drug use in child and adolescent age groups.