56 - References

References

626 The Maudsley® Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry CHAPTER 5 Doses of commonly used psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents Commonly used psychotropic drugs are presented in Table 5.12. References

1. Paediatric Formulary Committee. BNF for Children (online). London: BMJ, Pharmaceutical Press, and RCPCH Publications; http://www. medicinescomplete.com.
2. Merative US LP. Micromedex. 2024; https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/home/dispatch/.
3. Gov.UK. Guidance: Valproate use by women and girls. 2018 (last updated January 2024); https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valproate-­use-­by- ­women-­and-­girls. Table 5.12  Starting doses of commonly used psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents.1,2 Drug Starting dose* Comment Antipsychotics Aripiprazole 2mg Adjust dose according to response and adverse effects. Clozapine 6.­25–­12.5mg Use plasma levels to determine maintenance dose. Lurasidone 18.5mg (20mg) to 37mg (40mg) Adjust dose according to response and adverse effects. Olanzapine 2.­5–­5mg Adjust dose according to response and adverse effects. Quetiapine 25mg Effective dose usually in the range ­150–­200mg daily. Risperidone 0.­25–­2mg Adjust dose according to response and adverse effects. Antidepressants Citalopram 10mg daily Effective dose ­10–­40mg (note QT effects) Escitalopram 5mg/day Effective dose ­10–­20mg (note QT effects) Fluoxetine ­5–­10mg/day Adjust dose according to response and adverse effects. Sertraline 25mg daily Effective dose usually in the range ­50–­100mg daily. Other drugs Lithium ­100–­200mg/day lithium carbonate Use plasma levels to determine maintenance dose. Melatonin ­1–­2mg at night Effective dose ­2–­10mg Valproate ­10–­20mg/kg/day in divided doses Use plasma levels to determine maintenance dose. Do not offer valproate to girls or young women of child-­bearing potential unless there is a pregnancy prevention programme (PPP) in place.1,3 *Suggested approximate oral starting doses (see primary literature for doses in individual indications). Lower dose in suggested range is for children weighing less than 25kg.