Aripiprazole use in children and adolescents: A case series [Çocuk ve gençlerde aripiprazol kullanimi: Olgu serisi]

In children and adolescents, atypical antipsychotics have been largely used to treat aggression, mood instability, and psychosis. There is a growing interest in the use of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and bipolar disorders. A series of 7 children and adolescents (ages 11-17 years, 5 males) were treated with aripiprazole for different psychiatric disorders. All patients had been treated previously with several psychotropic drugs. Aripiprazole was initiated at a starting dose of 2.5 or 5 mg daily and optimal dosages ranged from 5 to 10 mg daily. Six of the 7 patients appeared to benefit from aripiprazole. Neither extrapyramidal side effects nor agitation was observed in any case. Aripiprazole was well tolerated and effective in our cases and appears to be a safe and efficacious alternative in the child and adolescents. However, prospective clinical trials with a randomized placebo controlled design are needed.