Medications and Children Medication Chart

Medications and Children
Medication Chart

National Institute of Mental Health

Stimulant Medications

Brand Name

Generic Name

Approved Age

Adderall

amphetamines

3 and older

Concerta

methylphenidate

6 and older

Cylert*

pemoline

6 and older

Dexedrine

dextroamphetamine

3 and older

Dextrostat

dextroamphetamine

3 and older

Ritalin

methylphenidate

6 and older

*Because of its potential for serious side effects affecting the liver, Cylert should not ordinarily be considered as first line drug therapy for ADHD.

Antidepressant and Antianxiety Medications

Brand Name

Generic Name

Approved Age

Anafranil

clomipramine

10 and older (for OCD)

BuSpar

buspirone

18 and older

Effexor

venlafaxine

18 and older

Luvox (SSRI)

fluvoxamine

8 and older (for OCD)

Paxil (SSRI)

paroxetine

18 and older

Prozac (SSRI)

fluoxetine

18 and older

Serzone (SSRI)

nefazodone

18 and older

Sinequan

doxepin

12 and older

Tofranil

imipramine

6 and older (for bed-wetting)

Wellbutrin

bupropion

18 and older

Zoloft (SSRI)

sertraline

6 and older (for OCD)

Antipsychotic Medications

Brand Name

Generic Name

Approved Age

Clozaril (atypical)

clozapine

18 and older

Haldol

haloperidol

3 and older

Risperdal (atypical)

risperidone

18 and older

Seroquel (atypical)

quetiapine

18 and older

(generic only)

thioridazine

2 and older

Zyprexa (atypical)

olanzapine

18 and older

Orap

pimozide

12 and older (for Tourette's syndrome). Data for age 2 and older indicate similar safety profile.

Mood Stabilizing Medications

Brand Name

Generic Name

Approved Age

Cibalith-S

lithium citrate

12 and older

Depakote

divalproex sodium

2 and older (for seizures)

Eskalith

lithium carbonate

12 and older

Lithobid

lithium carbonate

12 and older

Tegretol

carbamazepine

any age (for seizures)

References

Burns BJ, Costello EJ, Angold A, Tweed D, Stangl D, Farmer EM, Erkanli A. Data Watch: children's mental health service use across service sectors. Health Affairs, 1995; 14(3): 147-59.

Coyle JT. Psychotropic drug use in very young children [editorial]. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2000; 283(8): 1059-60.

Physician's Desk Reference (PDR). Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, 1999.

Shaffer D, Fisher P, Dulcan MK, Davies M, Piacentini J, Schwab-Stone ME, Lahey BB, Bourdon K, Jensen PS, Bird HR, Canino G, Regier DA. The NIMH diagnostic interview schedule for children version 2.3 (DISC 2.3): description, acceptability, prevalence, rates, and performance in the MECA study. Journal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1996; 35(7): 865-77.

Zito JM, Safer DJ, dosReis S, Gardner JF, Botes M, Lynch F. Trends in the prescribing of psychotropic medications to preschoolers. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2000; 283(8): 1025-30.

NIH-04-4702
Reprinted April 2004

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