Pediatric Pharmacology

Question 1

Children Metabolism

Answer 1

Children tend to metabolize medications faster than adults and will therefore likely require higher weight-adjusted doses to achieve similar plasma levels to adults.

Individualized dosing is the way to go.

Question 2

Treatment for ADHD

Answer 2

1st line = long-acting stimulants

Question 3

Treatment for ODD

Answer 3

Parental

No medication treatment besides comorbidities

Question 4

Treatment for CD

Answer 4

Parental

No specific medications but atypical antipsychotics may be used for aggression

Question 5

Treatment for MDD

Answer 5

1st line: fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram

2nd line: all other SSRIs

Question 6

Treatment for OCD

Answer 6

1st line: SSRIs

2nd line: TCAs

SSRIs + CBT = synergistic

Question 7

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Answer 7

1st line: SSRIs

2nd line: SNRIs

Question 8

Treatment for Tics

Answer 8

1st line: clonidine (alpha-2- adrenergic agonist)

2nd line: atypical antipsychotics

Question 9

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

Answer 9

No specific medication recommended

Question 10

Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa

Answer 10

Fluoxetine (prozac) at high doses + treat comorbids

Question 11

Treatment for Bipolar

Answer 11

Mania without psychotic features –> lithium or valproic acid

Mania with psychotic features –> lithium or valproic acid + atypical antipsychotic