Certain types of antipsychotic medication can cause children to put on weight—as much as 18 pounds—according to research appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Chrostoph Correll, MD, and associates observed 272 children aged 4 to 19 taking atypical antipsychotic medication for the first time. Drugs/Medications included olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperadol) and aripiprazole (Abilify)—drugs sometimes used to treat children with autism, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Children’s weights were monitored over a 12-week period. During the last two weeks of the study, nearly all experienced significant weight gain. Average gain was as follows: 18.7 pounds with onanzapine, 13.7 pounds with quetiapine, 11.7 pounds with risperidone, and 9.7 pounds with aripiprazole. Children in the control group gained less than half a pound (.44 pounds) on average.

“(E)ffects such as age-inappropriate weight gain, obesity, hypertension, and lipid and glucose abnormalities are particularly problematic during development because they predict adult obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular morbidity, and malignancy,” authors of the study write.

Doctors were so concerned over weight gain in children taking onanzapine that they stopped treatment before the study was completed. “Each antipsychotic was associated with significantly increased fat mass and waist circumference,” authors write. “Altogether, 10 percent to 36 percent of patients transitioned to overweight or obese status within 11 weeks.”

As more children—some younger than 5-years-old—are diagnosed with bipolar and “disruptive behavior” disorders (such as ADHD), there is also a rise in atypical antipsychotic prescriptions. These medications are generally effective for children with autism and schizophrenia, but they may not be the best treatment for other conditions.

The authors suggest seeking alternative treatments. They write that, in view of the negative health outcomes, the benefits of using these medications “must be balanced against their cardiometabolic risks”, and say the results suggest including in prescription guidelines closer monitoring during the early months of treatment.

They also plan on researching whether or not diet restrictions and additional medications for weight and glucose control will help balance the potential negative effects of the drugs.

More teens are calling for help with ADHD prescription drug abuse, according to information obtained from the American Association of Poison Control Center. Calls to the center from 13-19 year-old victims regarding prescription ADHD medication abuse rose 76% between 1998 and 2005.

These types of calls rose more quickly than those for general substance abuse by teens (up 55%). ADHD medication prescriptions were up 80% over the same time period, a figure researchers suspect is no coincidence. Girls called more frequently than boys, representing 40% of all victims, but boys suffered more severe effects than girls, who accounted for just over 19% of major effects or death.

Researchers can only speculate why the imbalance is so drastic: “We don’t know for sure whether the increased calls for help are the result of simply more abuse or the escalating severity of consequences,” explains G. Randall Bond, MD, director of the Poison and Information Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

“The findings suggest that more teens are abusing and misusing stimulant ADHD medications because they have access to those medications, not because a higher percentage of those treated have turned to abusing their medication,” explains lead author Jennifer Setlik, MD, also of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that can continue through adulthood. Individuals with ADHD may be extremely talkative or fidgety, and often have difficulties with impulsiveness, patience, following instructions, hyperactivity, attentiveness, and behavioral control.

Most of the medications used to treat ADHD are amphetamines, stimulants intended to boost concentration; drugs such as Adderall, Dexedrine, or Ritalin are typically prescribed. Teens abuse these stimulants to increase focus, to reduce pain and anxiety, or to get high without knowing the side effects.

Side effects may include insomnia or tiredness, cottonmouth, dizziness, and headaches. In more extreme cases, however, they may cause vomiting, seizure, or psychiatric problems, including hallucinations. Strattera, a non-stimulant antomoxetine, can cause users to have an increased likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

"Clearly," says Setlik, "we are seeing a rising problem with the abuse of these medications." As the drug abuse problem progresses, education continues to be stressed as a means of prevention.

Click here for more information on how to talk to your child about drug abuse.

Could exposure to TV and new media be harmful to your children? A report released Tuesday by the nonprofit group Common Sense Media suggests that it might. The report reviewed studies on media and health from the last 30 years and found that 80 percent of them showed that more time spent watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Web led to negative health effects in children and adolescents.

The study, a meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Yale University, and California Pacific Medical Center looked at 173 studies published since 1980 that examined the relationship of media exposure with seven different health outcomes, including tobacco use, sexual behavior, obesity, academic performance, and drug/alcohol use. Many of the studies reviewed were largely focused on television but some examined the effects of video games, films, music, and computer and Internet use.

Three quarters of the studies found that increased media viewing was associated with negative health outcomes. The strongest relationship was found between media exposure and obesity: 86 percent of the studies suggested a strong relationship between increased screen time and obesity.

As a group, the studies also offered strong evidence that children who get more media exposure are more likely to start smoking, use drugs and alcohol, perform poorly in school, and begin sexual activity earlier than those who spend less time in front of a screen. The studies linking media exposure and Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were less conclusive.

Due to the increasingly pervasive presence of media in modern society, parents and educators may want to carefully consider the effects of media on children in their care. The researchers recommend that parents place limits on the amount of media their kids consume, and urge them to make smart, age-appropriate choices. They also believe educators should implement media literacy programs in their schools and policymakers need to make media education programs a national priority.

For more information about children’s health, visit the Healia Health Community on Child Health. For information on childhood obesity, see the Healia Health Guide on Weight Management.

 

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The recent shooting at a Nebraska shopping mall by a 19-year old teen has many concerned about the use of antidepressants among teenagers. The suspect killed eight people and then himself on December 5, 2007 at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska. Reports say that the suspect was using antidepressants and had been experiencing mental health problems and ideations of suicide.

This is not the first time a shooting rampage has been linked to antidepressants. One of the Columbine shooters was reportedly taking a prescription antidepressant when he participated in the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO (CNN).

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), antidepressants can help improve a person’s mood, sleep, appetite, and concentration. Antidepressants typically take several weeks of use to be helpful. It is required that antidepressants carry strong warnings about their possible link to suicidal behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults ages 18 to 24.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that antidepressants may cause suicidal thinking and behavior. A recent analysis showed that children on antidepressants were more likely to have suicidal thoughts or behavior compared to children taking a placebo (sugar pill).

Parents, caregivers, and young adults considering using antidepressants should be aware of product warnings, signs of potential side effects, and alternative treatment options are available. This will help to make an informed decision.

The signs and symptoms of suicidal thoughts or self-harm are sometimes not obvious and may be difficult to detect. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms that a condition may be worsening or that someone may be at risk of self-harm include:

• Thoughts about suicide or dying
• Attempted suicide
• Self-injury
• Feelings of agitation or restlessness
• Panic attacks
• Sleeping problems
• Increasing sadness
• Extreme increase in talking or activity
• Aggression, violence or hostility
• New or worsening anxiety
• Problems at school
• Spending more time alone

Alternatives to prescription antidepressants should be considered when exploring treatment options. The Mayo Clinic suggests exploring a variety of counseling techniques, including psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy. Family therapy and getting children involved in school activities or sports also may help. For more information on antidepressants, visit healia.com.

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