Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

HOW MUCH RESEARCH SHOULD I DO WHEN THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBES DRUGS FOR MY CHILD?

January 21st, 2014

It is natural for a parent to worry when a medication is prescribed for their developing child. That’s why it is very important that the prescribing psychiatrist takes time to discuss all aspects of medication at the time of prescribing and on an ongoing basis. Goals of treatment, as well as common side effects, should be explained. Questions should be fielded cooperatively. Informed consent should be routine, but even after that, many parents who live in our information age still have worries and further questions. They often turn to written material they find on the pharmacy drug sheet or the Internet.

In theory, this is a good idea, but, unfortunately, it often leaves parents scared as they read highly technical data and sometimes even plainly wrong information. I often get urgent calls from parents after they have read about a particular side effect that was not discussed.  Often the side effect is so rare to the point of clinical insignificance that it was not discussed in our meeting.  So many side effects are listed for every drug that if they were all believed to be serious or common many people would take nothing, not even aspirin. The experience and wisdom of the doctor prescribing should help you weigh the benefits and risks of a drug for your child. Many patients call me with these questions, and I usually say that a particular effect is true but rare and should be put aside compared to the benefits of the prescribed drug. Nothing substitutes for clinical experience and the doctor’s ability to understand and evaluate what is meant by the written word.

One caveat I have for parents who use the Internet to research medication is that there is often fallacious material posted by overemotional parents or others who frankly misstate facts. The Internet is full of false claims as to the dangers of medications. Dangers are often made up, reported out of context, exaggerated, distorted, and discussed from a one-sided point of view. The websites that some parents tend to stumble across are often written by nonprofessionals and testimonials are usually filled with generalizations, distorted anecdotes, or even false rumors having little to do with proper prescribing. I spend a great deal of time explaining to concerned parents how to interpret something they have read into a less anxious context, and directing them to more reliable websites or other sources of correct information. This is part of the art of prescribing medication, and doctors must remain patient as these calls are from worried parents who want the best for their children.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.