Large increase in antipsychotic drug use for children in Sweden

Even though it involves relatively few children, the authority wants to highlight the increase in use, reports Dagens Medicin.

The number of children aged 5 to 17 who received antipsychotic medications rose from 17 to 37 per 10,000 children between 2008 and 2021. Use increased the most among girls.

The treatment often takes place outside approved indications and is given to boys with ADHD and autism, and to girls with anxiety, depression and eating disorders, among other things.

This underlines the need for continued follow-up, knowledge support and dialogue with the profession regarding when and how these drugs should be used, Elin Kimland, senior investigator at the Medical Products Agency, told the newspaper.