Adult Psychiatric Drug OK’d for Kids

“The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a widely used adult psychiatric drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.

The action permits use of Risperdal for schizophrenia in youths aged 13 to 17 and for bipolar disorder in those aged 10 to 17, FDA said.

It was approved last fall for treatment of irritability in autism.

Risperdal, manufactured by Janssen, L.P. of Titusville, N.J., is the No. 3 anti-psychotic drug, with $2.3 billion in sales in 2005, according to the pharmaceutical data company IMS Health. Janssen is a unit of Johnson & Johnson.

Risperdal was approved for use in adults in 1993.
Until now, FDA said, there has been no approved drug for the treatment of schizophrenia in youths and only lithium is approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder in adolescents.
The dose approved for youths is slightly lower than the adult dose, FDA said.

Drowsiness, fatigue, increase in appetite, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, tremor, and rash were among the most common side effects reported, the agency said.”

Most common Risperdal Side Effects:
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Constipation
Diarrhea
Dry mouth
Sore throat
Abnormal walk
Agitation
Aggression
Anxiety
Chest pain
Coughing
Involuntary movements
Nasal inflammation
Decreased activity
Decreased sexual desires
Lack of coordination
Impotence
Dizziness
Dry skin
Difficulty urinating
Heavy menstruation
Tremor
Weight gain
Lethargic feelings
Join pain
Difficulty ejaculating
Tremor
Respiratory infection
Some Risperdal patients may want to consider alternate treatment methods due to the evidence of increased risk and lack of adequate safety studies.

Those Risperdal Legos are really something. Does that mean the child who is about to be treated is sent the message, “Hey, taking psychiatric meds is sort of like playing with Legos, see how fun it is to take our pills!!! Just like playing with your toys!!!”
Good job Big Pharma Drug Pushers. Why not put the drug in a lolly pop and sell it with helium baloons? And give away a Barney Video with each sale? “I love you, you love me, we’re a druggy family!!! With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you….won’t you take my drugs instead of sue?”
Sue, as in lawsuit for pushing yet another toxic chemical on the children of America.
Sick, very very sick.
Jenny Hatch