| Antidepressants: Use of the newer antidepressants | | | | decreased blood pressure. Treatment requires |
| (SSRIs, Effexor, Serzone, Remeron, and Wellbutrin) in | | | | electrocardiographic monitoring, and the monitoring of |
| children now exceeds that of the older tricyclic | | | | blood serum levels is recommended. Tricyclics are the |
| antidepressants primarily because of the lack of risk | | | | most lethal of the psychotropics in an overdose. |
| for severe cardiac side effects. The antidepressants | | | | Psychostimulants: The stimulant medications |
| may have side effects including gastrointestinal | | | | commonly used with ADHD children are very well |
| discomfort, headaches, sleep and behavioral | | | | researched and considered safe and effective |
| disturbances, and weight loss or gain. Remeron is | | | | (Barkley, DuPaul & Costello, 1993). Common side |
| sedating and is often associated with significant | | | | effects include insomnia, decreased appetite, and |
| weight gain. Because of these side effects, it is now | | | | headache. Less frequently, they may cause agitation, |
| occasionally used with children having the side effects | | | | enuresis, and depression. Rarely, tics and psychotic |
| of appetite and sleep difficulties due to the use of | | | | symptoms may occur. Antipsychotics: The neuroleptic |
| stimulants. Wellbutrin is contraindicated in persons with | | | | medications are used with a variety of symptoms |
| a history of seizures or tics, and can cause weight | | | | and disorders. These include psychosis, bipolar |
| loss. | | | | disorders, aggression, and tic disorders. Common side |
| Although prescribed for depression, enuresis and | | | | effects include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, |
| ADHD are the only established indications for the | | | | sedation, stiffness, and in some cases of chronic |
| tricyclics. Tricyclic side effects are dry mouth, | | | | administration, tardive dyskinesia. |
| constipation, blurred vision, weight change, and | | | | |