Citation

Findling RL, Reed MD, O'Riordan MA, Demeter CA, Stansbrey RJ, McNamara NK. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 2006; 45(7): 792-800.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 44106-5080, USA. robert.findling@uhhs.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.chi.0000219832.23849.31

PMID

16832315

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To provide an initial description of the effectiveness and pharmacokinetics (PK) of quetiapine in aggressive children with conduct disorder (CD). METHOD: This 8-week, open-label outpatient trial, enrolled patients ages 6 to 12 years with CD. Outcome measures included the Rating of Aggression Against People and/or Property Scale (RAAPPS), Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF), and the Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48). Blood sampling for PK analyses occurred at the end of weeks 2 and 8. RESULTS: Seventeen children (16 boys, mean age 8.9 years) were treated. The mean dose at week 8 was 4.4 mg/kg (SD = 1.1 mg/kg). Significant decreases in the baseline scores of the RAAPPS, and several subscales of the NCBRF and the CPRS were found by the end of the study (p <.05). No patients discontinued because of an adverse event. No patients experienced extrapyramidal side effects. Quetiapine disposition was linear over the dose range studied. The elimination half-life of the drug averaged 3.9 and 2.9 hours and total body clearance averaged 3.5 and 3.0 L/hr/kg after study weeks 2 and 8, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that aggressive children with CD may benefit from quetiapine. The PK of quetiapine supports twice-daily dosing in children with CD.

Language: en