Drug Combinations, use of multiple medications:

One of the  aspects of modern psychiatry is the practice of prescribing more than one drug in their treatment.  When one drug doesn’t accomplish its purpose, or when other problems arise, quite commonly a second, third or fourth drug is added, sometimes, up to 5 or 6 drugs. This is a practice that is becoming more common in the treating of both adults, teenagers and children. This practice in psychiatry is little studied as to its safety and effectiveness, and that can  put children in “a fog” as one young teenager said.

 

U.S. statistics and teenagers:

1.6 million Children give drug combinations

280,000 under 10 given at least 2 in combination

500,000 children prescribed at least three

160,000 four medications

 

Example of drug combinations:

actual combinations for two teenagers:

Zoloft and Desyrel                               Depression

Lamictal (anticonvulsant)   mood stabilizer

Focalin XR (stimulant)        improve concentration

Stephen, 15; 4 drugs

 

Depakote(anticonvulsant)  mood stabilizer

Risperdal                                               reduce anger

Catapres                                                induce sleep

Jacob 14; 3 drugs

 

Over 5 years each boy has been prescribed 28 different medications.

 

A 2003 review in the American Journal of Psychiatry found only six controlled trials of two-drug combinations. Four of the six failed to show any benefit. In a fifth the improvement was offset by greater side effects. (source: New York Times 11/23/06Proof is Scant on  Psychiatric Drug Mix for Young, by Gardiner Harris) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/23/health/23kids.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=5583c58818941439&ex=1183608000

 

            If a parent chooses pharmaceutical treatment, then, the practice in psychiatry of using prescribing multiple medications is something to be concerned about, and if parents are aware of this beforehand, it can help them to make educated decisions as to the treatment of their children.

 

Coming off Medications Gradually  After stopping use of many psychiatric drugs, time is needed for the mind and body to adjust. Tapering off medications is the more effective way to discontinue use of  antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs and the  approach recommended by a number of psychiatrists.

 

History: Reserpine: India 600 B.C. "The root of the snake."

 

  Any decisions made concerning mental health are personal decisions and winmental health bears no responsibility. The information on this website are for educational and informative purposes only and each person must make their own decisions on mental health treatment. We hope that this information is helpful.