Psychiatric adverse drug reactions in the paediatric population

Psychiatric adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in the paediatric population. 15% of ADRs in children reported to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb from 2003 to 2016 concern psychiatric reactions. Lareb analyzed these reports in order to increase knowledge on psychiatric ADRs in the paediatric population. 

Drugs used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (methylphenidate and atomoxetine) and asthma (montelukast and fluticasone) were most frequently suspected to cause psychiatric ADRs. This study showed that real-world data on psychiatric ADRs in the Dutch paediatric population match with what is known from drug labels and the literature. Reports of psychiatric ADRs should be taken seriously because of the impact on medication adherence and the well-being of the child and its family. 

ADRs can have many consequences. They can harm the patient physically and can have a profound effect on adherence and therefore on treatment success and quality of life. Due to lack of documentation on efficacy and safety, there is lack of information on drug use in children. Increased knowledge of ADRs would enable a better risk-benefit analysis. Insight in the occurrence and nature of ADRs can help physicians to anticipate and recognize these reactions. 

Psychiatric adverse drug reactions in the paediatric population. Ekhart C, de Vries T, van Hunsel F.  Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2020 Feb 14.