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Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of psychotropic medications in childhood., Methods: One hundred and two children and adolescents (M 82.4%, F 17.6%) followed-up at the Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Messina, and at the Scientific Institute Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, were recruited between January 2009 and December 2011. All participants met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders. The data were collected using a recording sheet for ADRs. An electronic database was also used. The recording sheet was designed to note all relevant information about drug treatment and ADRs according to AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) suggestions., Results: The most prescribed drugs were: risperidone (19.6%), aripiprazole (18.4%) and valproic acid (14.8%). The ADRs more frequently recorded had been: weight gain (12.6%), sleepiness (8.4%), and irritability (6.7%). None of recorded ADRs were classified as "serious"., Conclusion: This study can provide a basic model to collect information on safety and tolerability of psychotropic drugs in childhood.

Aims: The aims of the study were to assess the trend of older and newer anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the elderly population and to analyze the effects of a health-policy intervention with regard to AED use in general practice in a setting in Southern Italy., Methods: Data were extracted from the 'Caserta-1' Local-Health-Unit Arianna database in the years 2004-07. Patients aged over 65 years, receiving at least one AED prescription and registered in the lists of 88 general practitioners, were selected. The use of older and newer AEDs was calculated as 1 year prevalence and incidence of use and defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants day(-1) . Sub-analyses by gender, age and indication of use were performed., Results: Most of AED users were treated because of neuropathic pain (64.8%). However, the main indication of use for older AEDs (57.8%) was epilepsy, whereas newer AEDs (79.5%) were used for neuropathic pain. Prevalence and incidence of newer AED use increased until 2006, followed by a reduction in 2007. Newer AEDs, particularly gabapentin and pregabalin, were used in the treatment of more patients than older AEDs. However phenobarbital, accounting for more than 50% of total AED volume, was the most prescribed medication during the entire study period., Conclusions: An increasing use of AEDs has been observed during 2004-07, mostly due to the prescription of newer compounds for neuropathic pain. The fall in the use of newer AEDs during 2007 coincides with revised re-imbursement criteria for gabapentin and pregabalin. The large use of phenobarbital in the elderly should be considered in the light of a risk of adverse drug reactions., (© 2010 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2010 The British Pharmacological Society.)