Comments on: Antipsychotic Drugs, the Drug Industry, and Children

By: Antipsychotics in Kids, Weight Gain, and Parental Worries

Antipsychotics in Kids, Weight Gain, and Parental Worries — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:55:32 +0000

[...] child on medication is never easy for a parent to think about. When the medications in question are antipsychotics (like Risperdal) and antidepressants (like Zoloft), and when the child is disabled and has little [...]

By: What are the long-term effects of antidepressants on a child’s brain?

What are the long-term effects of antidepressants on a child’s brain? — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:00:28 +0000

[...] is altogether pressing, and simple: How does my child feel as a result of taking this medication? Charlie takes Zoloft for, among other reasons, his anxiety, and careful observation of his behavior and the accounts [...]

By: Laura Collins

Laura Collins — Sun, 13 May 2007 23:35:40 +0000

Oh, this is such a tough issue!

We are really just so early in the process of understanding the potential – good and ill – of these drugs.

As parents we can’t treat the doctors like gods who know best, or expect perfect knowledge.

And the doctors are simply going to need to come off the dais and TALK with parents frankly about what they know and don’t know.

Thank you, Kristina, for making this conversation happen!

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Sun, 13 May 2007 04:28:14 +0000

Mrs. Bailey, I can’t thank you enough for writing here and sharing more about your daughter and your family. As I wrote, my son’s neurologist made it clear that there were side effects and insisted that we look into these ourselves, regarding any concerns. If it is all right, I would like to email you privately.

Thank you very much and many many regards to your family.

Kristina Chew

By: Isabella Bailey

Isabella Bailey — Sat, 12 May 2007 21:10:12 +0000

There were a few details ommitted by Gardiner Harris in the article concerning my daughter. My daughter also has a refractory epilepsy, and when her seizures aren’t under control she’s had a slew of psychiatric problems in the past. The three child psychiatrists at the U/MN who prescribed Risperdal to my daughter told me there were no risks of “tardive” with this drug. They also told me to give Risperdal to her as a PRN (as needed) whenever she became angry. I was also never told that my daughter was being used in a research study. Dr Realmuto is quoted in previous articles by Gardiner Harris as “not asking for the parents permission” in his research. Dr Realmuto was also heavily involved in a push for the drug Concerta about 8 yrs prior to this at the U/MN and I know that another doctor was found guilty of research fraud in this study.

I just hope Anya’s story can at least open the eyes of other desperate parents (let’s face it, by the time we’re going to a shrink, it’s a difficult journey, even desperate)—to not give all authoritative care over to a doctor. Because that Hippocratic Oath ‘to first do no harm’ obviously gets displaced when financial incentives under the guise of advancing research… seductively and meretriciously lure these under-salaried doctors (or actors as Dr Realmuto posed his response to the NY Times).

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 11 May 2007 22:09:29 +0000

On using an antipsychotic drug because it’s an appetite stimulant — there are much safer appetite stimulants out there! There’s one that was originally developed as an antihistimine, but it caused increased appetite in most people, and wasn’t as good an antihistimine as other available ones. An antihistimine is generally a lot safer than an antipsychotic!

(I just wish I could remember the name of it!)

I’m appalled.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:21:36 +0000

Thanks a lot for clarifying that—-I just realized how close the names (Oxytocin/OxyContin) are.

By: daedalus2u

daedalus2u — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:18:21 +0000

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide and massively involved in the mediation of attachment. It is completely different than OxyContin which is a very strong narcotic.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Fri, 11 May 2007 15:48:23 +0000

A lot was made of oxytocin after research was presented on it at IMFAR, as in this Seattle Times article. A mother commented on the effects of oxytocin on her 21-year-old son who has Asperger's in this post:

My 21 y/o son has Asperger’s. Our DAN doctor decided to put him on nasal Oxytocin to help him with his social problems. OMG! He seemed to have lost all of his inhibitions and we had problems with him sending an inappropriate e-mail to an 11 y/o girl. The father of the girl wanted to call the police. That was over a week ago. We stopped the oxytocin, but we have noticed that he has become more child-like. Has anyone heard of these types of side-effects from the nasal oxytocin?

By: A2372

A2372 — Fri, 11 May 2007 14:42:19 +0000

These are all interesting views.
I remember Johnson and Johnson saying Oxycotin is the new drug for Autism.
This sent a red flag to me. Oxycotin is a serious narcotic.
Then yesterday they released a statement involving the makers of Oxycotin are being sued because of false statements on the safety of the drug.
I know people sometimes need meds. And I realize the argument on all sides of giving these meds.
And how much money these pharmaceutical companies profit. I believe like it was mentioned that if these meds are given there should programs to help with behavioral issues. I feel the drugs aren’t the only answer.