There are currently no adequate research findings on the right medical prescription on children below the age of six years. However, children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have largely been prescribed to off-label drugs (Panther et al., 2017). Children at the age of between 3 and five years showing symptoms of ADHD were prescribed to drugs for off-label use in the United States. The reliance on off-label drugs has been triggered by inefficacy of data on appropriate medical prescriptions for the vulnerable group. For instance, adverse signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in young children are usually treated through the prescription of off-label drugs.
Appropriate education on healthcare providers, parents and care givers to children should be encouraged to promote safer drug usage and prescription in children (Knopf et al., 2013). The strategy of maximizing of appropriate education is noted as one of the safe ways promoting proper drug prescription. Implementation of electronic medical records to notify patients, parents and care givers on unlicensed and off-label drugs is another strategy to promote safe drug use among children (Corny et al., 2015). The electronic medical records avail publications to drug users and care givers on the state of drugs used on children.
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Among the off-label drugs that need special care and attention while administering to paediatrics is Dextroamphetamine (Panther et al., 2017). Dextroamphetamine prescription to children below the age of six years should be 2.5 mg per day. Atomoxetine is another off-label drug which needs to be cautiously handled while using to treat ADHD among young children (Panther et al., 2017). Atomoxetine has been noted to have several side effects among the children and call for specialised attention for the safety of the children. Dextroamphetamine and Atomoxetine has not been fully research on to guarantee efficacy when prescribed to treat ADHD.
References
Corny, J., Lebel, D., Bailey, B., & Bussières, J. (2015). Unlicensed and Off-Label Drug Use in Children Before and After Paediatric Governmental Initiatives. 20(4): 316–328.
Knopf, H., Wolf, I., Sarganas, G., Zhuang, W., Rascher, W., & Neubert , A. (2013). Off-label Medicine Use in Children and Adolescents: Results of a Population-based Study in Germany. 13(631): 1-12.
Panther, S., Knotts, A., Odom-Maryon, T., Daratha, K., Woo, T., & Klein, T. (2017). Off-label Prescribing Trends for ADHD Medications in Very Young Children. 22(6): 423–429.
