Concern as proportion of children in England on antipsychotics doubles

Researchers find overall percentage increase from 0.06% in 2000 to 0.11% in 2019 although safety in children not fully established

The proportion of children and young people prescribed antipsychotics in England has nearly doubled in just two decades, prompting concern among some experts.

The powerful drugs are often used to treat major mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, in adults. They can be associated with serious side effects such as sexual dysfunction, infertility, and weight gain leading to diabetes.