Efficacy of risperidone in children with disruptive behavioural disorders.
Author(s): Duhig MJ(1), Saha S, Scott JG.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health,
Wacol, Queensland, Australia.
Publication date & source: 2013, J Paediatr Child Health. , 49(1):19-26
This study aims to review the evidence for the efficacy of risperidone in the
treatment of disruptive behavioural disorders (DBDs) in children and adolescents.
Established databases were searched using the terms 'Risperidone and efficacy and
children' and 'Risperidone and efficacy and adolescents'. Randomised,
double-blind controlled studies were retained for analysis. Janseen-Cilag was
contacted to identify any unpublished studies. Quality of studies was measured
using Jadad scores. Seven studies of 657 subjects with a mean age of 9.9 years
(SD= 2.0) (range 4-18 years) were identified. Only one study was judged to use
the highest quality of methodology according to the Jadad score. Patients with
DBD who were treated with risperidone showed clinical improvement compared with
placebo. Weight gain, somnolence and gastrointestinal complaints were common.
Risperidone was found to be efficacious in reducing symptoms in children and
adolescents with DBD. However, studies were mostly of short duration and had
deficiencies in the descriptions of blinding and randomisation. Research using
rigorous methodology examining the long-term outcomes of efficacy and safety are
required to inform clinicians and families of the therapeutic benefits and risks
of risperidone in this clinical population.
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