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Prescribing For Children and Adolescents: Bipolar Disorder
Author’s Name
Department/University
Course number
Course name
Instructor’s Name
, 2
Prescribing For Children and Adolescents: Bipolar Disorder
Mood swings between euphoria and sadness are hallmarks of bipolar disorder, a chronic,
long-lasting mental condition. Manic depression was the prior term used to describe bipolar
illnesses. One of the main signs of bipolar disorder is uncontrollably large and ongoing mood
fluctuations. A person with bipolar disorder may experience mood changes in a short period of
time. According to Miklowitz et al. (2003), he may experience severe mood fluctuations, feeling
gloomy, hopeless, and powerless one moment and on top of the world the next. The purpose of
this paper is to prescribe some medications for children and adolescents who are suffering with
bipolar disorder.
FDA-Approved Drug
Risperidone
For the treatment of bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents between the ages of 10
and 17, risperidone has FDA approval (Geller et al., 2012). Its advantages include a quick
beginning of action, usually within a few days to weeks, and demonstrated effectiveness in
lowering manic symptoms. Weight gain, sedation, metabolic syndrome, and extrapyramidal
symptoms are some of the possible side effects of this medication. It also necessitates routine
monitoring of lipid, glucose, and weight levels.
Off-Label Drug
Lamotrigine
Although lamotrigine is not FDA-approved for usage in children and adolescents, it is
frequently used off-label for bipolar depression in this age group (Calabrese et al., 2002). Its
main advantage is that it effectively manages depressive episodes with little chance of mania.
When compared to several other mood stabilizers, its adverse impact profile is favorable. The
Prescribing For Children and Adolescents: Bipolar Disorder
Author’s Name
Department/University
Course number
Course name
Instructor’s Name
, 2
Prescribing For Children and Adolescents: Bipolar Disorder
Mood swings between euphoria and sadness are hallmarks of bipolar disorder, a chronic,
long-lasting mental condition. Manic depression was the prior term used to describe bipolar
illnesses. One of the main signs of bipolar disorder is uncontrollably large and ongoing mood
fluctuations. A person with bipolar disorder may experience mood changes in a short period of
time. According to Miklowitz et al. (2003), he may experience severe mood fluctuations, feeling
gloomy, hopeless, and powerless one moment and on top of the world the next. The purpose of
this paper is to prescribe some medications for children and adolescents who are suffering with
bipolar disorder.
FDA-Approved Drug
Risperidone
For the treatment of bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents between the ages of 10
and 17, risperidone has FDA approval (Geller et al., 2012). Its advantages include a quick
beginning of action, usually within a few days to weeks, and demonstrated effectiveness in
lowering manic symptoms. Weight gain, sedation, metabolic syndrome, and extrapyramidal
symptoms are some of the possible side effects of this medication. It also necessitates routine
monitoring of lipid, glucose, and weight levels.
Off-Label Drug
Lamotrigine
Although lamotrigine is not FDA-approved for usage in children and adolescents, it is
frequently used off-label for bipolar depression in this age group (Calabrese et al., 2002). Its
main advantage is that it effectively manages depressive episodes with little chance of mania.
When compared to several other mood stabilizers, its adverse impact profile is favorable. The
