Child Psychology and Psychiatry

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Approaches to intervention
Table 46.1
Dose range of psychotropic medication used in children and adolescents.
Drug
Dose range
Target symptoms
Stimulants
Methylphenidate IR
5-60 mg/day
Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and
behavioural problems related to ADHD
Concerta XL
18-72 mg/day
Equasym XL
10-60 mg/day
Medikinet Retard
10-60 mg/day
Dexamfetamine
2.5-40 mg/day
Non-stimulant
Atomoxetine
1-1.2 mg/kg body weight/day
Tricyclic antidepressants
Imipramine, desipramine
<
6 years: 10-20 mg/day
Bedwetting, hyperactivity, impulsivity,
inattention
>
6 years: 10-75 mg/day
Clomipramine
10-200 mg/day
Obsessions, compulsions
SSRls
Fluoxetine
Fluvoxamine
Sertraline
Paroxetine
Citalopram
10-60 mg/day
50-300 mg/day
25-150 mg/day
10-60 mg/day
10-60 mg/day
Depression (only fluoxetine approved),
obsessions and compulsions (high doses may
be needed), self-injurious behaviour, and
anxiety-related aggression in autism spectrum
disorder (low doses)
SNRI
Venlafaxine
37.5-150 mg/day
Symptoms of ADHD in adults
Antipsychotic medication
High doses - psychosis, (hypo)mania
Haloperidol
Pre-pubertal: 0.5-8 mg/day
Low doses (
<
1/3 of dose for psychosis) - tics,
severe aggression and self-injury; risperidone
in ASD with ADHD
Post-pubertal: 1-16 mg/day
Clozapine
∗
50-600 mg/day
Risperidone
0.25-6 mg/day
Olanzapine
2.5-20 mg/day
Quetiapine
25-300 mg/day
Aripiprazole
1-15 mg/day
Anti-epileptic medication
Epilepsy, symptoms and prophylaxis of bipolar
illness
Carbamazepine
5-10 mg/litre (serum level)
Sodium valproate
50-100 mg/litre (serum level)
Clonazepam
0.5-4 mg/day
Epilepsy, akathisia, sleep disorders
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continued overleaf
)