Current opinion in pediatrics
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Apr 2005
ReviewToxicology and overdose of atypical antipsychotic medications in children: does newer necessarily mean safer?
Atypical antipsychotic medications (second-generation antipsychotics) have been increasingly used in the treatment of a number of psychotic disorders since their introduction in 1988, with the newest medication introduced in 2002. Justification for their use includes claims of equal or improved antipsychotic activity over first-generation antipsychotics, increased tolerability, and decreased side effects. However, there are still significant adverse effects and toxicities with this class of medications. Toxicologic exposures and fatalities associated with atypical antipsychotics continue to increase in the United States, with 32,422 exposures and 72 deaths in 2003. There have also been Food and Drug Administration warnings in the past year about how some atypical antipsychotics have been marketed to minimize the potentially fatal risks and claiming superior safety to other atypical antipsychotics without adequate substantiation, indicating the toxicologic potential of these agents may be underestimated. ⋯ While new atypical antipsychotic medications may have a safer therapeutic and overdose profile than first-generation antipsychotic medications, many adverse and toxic effects still need to be considered in therapeutic monitoring and overdose management.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Apr 2005
ReviewUpdate on pediatric resuscitation drugs: high dose, low dose, or no dose at all.
Pediatric resuscitation has been a topic of discussion for years. It is difficult to keep abreast of changing recommendations, especially for busy pediatricians who do not regularly use these skills. This review will focus on the most recent guidelines for resuscitation drugs. ⋯ Pediatric resuscitation is a constantly evolving subject that is on the mind of anyone taking care of sick children. Clinicians are continually searching for the most effective methods to resuscitate children in terms of short- and long-term outcomes. It is important to be familiar with not only the agents being used but also the optimal way to use them.