The Use of Psychotropic Drugs Among Children in Out-of-home Care in Sweden

Abstract

Introduction

There are concerns that children in out-of-home care take psychotropicdrugs at a much higher rate than other children and that some treatmens mightbe inappropriate.

Objective

To study the prescription of psychotropic drugs to children in out-of-home care in Sweden.

Aim

To describe the prevalent use of psychotropic drugs among children in out-of-home care in Sweden and pinpoint possible inappropriate treatment.

Method

Data on drugs dispensed from the national Swedish Prescribed Drug Registerfor 2013. Individuals with at least three dispensations were defined as usersand included in the study.

Results

A widespread use of different types of psychotropic drugs was foundamong children in out-of-home care in Sweden. The concurrent use of methylphenidateand antipsychotics was notable – about 20% of the children were simultaneouslytreated with these drugs.

Conclusion

Children in out-of-home care take psychotropic drugs at a much higherrate than other children in Sweden. Evidence supporting effectiveness andsafety of certain treatments is lacking.