Children and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, children and adolescents handle medications differently than adults. The brains and bodies of children and adolescents are still growing and developing in complexity, and the younger the child, the more development still has to take place. Children’s livers, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tracts, which are involved in metabolizing medications, may also be at different levels of development and functioning in comparison to adults. Most medications were originally developed to treat mental health disorders in adults. Due to ethical concerns over testing the medications in children, most psychiatric medications have not undergone the rigorous testing necessary to gain FDA approval for specific age groups, diagnoses, and symptoms. Children are considered more vulnerable than adults and require parental or guardian consent to receive prescriptions as well as to enroll in clinical pharmaceutical research. Therefore, it tends to be more difficult and costly for drug companies to obtain approval for specific medications to treat the various mental health disorders and symptoms. Despite the relatively few medications with FDA approval, many medications are used to treat child and adolescent mental health disorders. When medications are prescribed for specific indications for which they have not received FDA approval, this is called “off-label prescribing.” Many of the medications used to treat child and adolescent mental health conditions are prescribed off label. Through research, scientists continue to learn the specific needs and precautions to take when treating children and adolescents. Some younger individuals may be more comfortable speaking with a mental health professional about their medications and any side effects, rather than the person who prescribed their medication. Hence, as a mental health professional, it is important for you to be familiar with child and adolescent psychopharmacology. By having some familiarity with the medications that are used in youth and their potential side effects, you will be able to help clients and their guardians understand when to approach the provider with concerns and how to discuss those concerns. This course covers a variety of psychiatric medications, including antipsychotics, stimulants, mood stabilizers, and others. You will learn about the unique issues surrounding psychopharmacology for pediatric populations, including common uses, side effects, and timelines for medication response.
ITEM: #866019
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education

In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Relias LLC designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 2.00
AMA PRA category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center

In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
- American Psychological Association
Relias LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
- Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- Association of Social Work Boards
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Relias LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 2.00 Clinical continuing education credits.
Course Delivery Format: Asynchronous Distance Learning-interaction includes quizzes with questions and answers, post-tests. This module is Reading-Based.
- California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- Florida Board of Medicine
Florida Board of Medicine (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
- Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- Florida Board of Psychology
Florida Board Of Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
- Florida Physician Assistants
Florida Physician Assistants (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
- Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- Illinois Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Marriage and Family Therapist Continuing Education Sponsor
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
- Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
- National Board for Certified Counselors
Relias, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relias , LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This activity is approved for 1.75 contact hours
- New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Social Work Unit
Relias, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0009.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social work in New York. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice for an LMSW and LCSW. A licensee who practices beyond the authorized scope of practice could be charged with unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias Learning are considered “self-study” under section 74.10(c)(2)(ii)(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
Social workers will receive 2.00 continuing education hours for participating in this course. This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0009
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors (MHC)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0011
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias, LLC are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board of Psychology
- Ohio Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RTX050401
CEBroker Provider 50-290
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours
- Ohio Professional Counselor Board
Ohio Counselor, Social WOrker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RCX100502
CEBroker Provider: 50-290
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
CEBroker Provider: 50-290
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
- Ohio State Medical Board
State Medical Board of Ohio (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
- South Carolina Board of Nursing
This program was approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education Program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
- South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
- West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
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Course Code: REL-BHC-0-CAP
Hours: 2
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 10/31/2022
Learning Objectives:
Describe the different classes of psychotropic medications used to treat childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders.
Discuss the uses and side effects of psychotropic medications commonly prescribed for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.
Identify at least three examples of information that should be reported to the prescribing provider when working with a child/adolescent taking psychiatric medications.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Antidepressants
Meet Jenny
Overview of Antidepressants
Overview of the SSRIs
Adverse Effects of the SSRIs
Additional Adverse Effects of the SSRIs
FDA Black Box Warning
More About SSRIs
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Other Antidepressants
Diagnosing Depression/Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Review
Meet Michelle
Summary
Section 3: ADHD Medications
Overview
Specific Information about Stimulants
Adverse Effects
Stimulants and Tic Disorders
Risk for Cardiac Problems
ADHD, Stimulants, Bipolar Disorder, and Psychosis
Stimulants and Addiction
Other Medications for ADHD
Guanfacine and Clonidine
Review
Summary
Section 4: Antipsychotics and Mood Stabilizers
Overview of Antipsychotics
Adverse Effects
Specific Information about Each Antipsychotic
Recent Atypical Antipsychotic Medications
Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Overview of Mood Stabilizers
Specific Information about Each Mood Stabilizer
Meet Robert
Summary
Section 5: Other Medications
Diphenhydramine and Hydroxyzine
Trazodone
Buspirone
Benzodiazepines
Medications for Tics
Sleep Difficulties
Enuresis
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Exam and BrainSparks
Expert Reviewer: Ujjwal Ramtekkar, MD, MPE, MBA
Dr. Ramtekkar is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and distinguished fellow of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). Dr. Ramtekkar has published several articles and book chapters on several topics in psychiatry including ADHD, autism, psychopharmacology, epidemiology, substance use, telepsychiatry and sleep disorders. He has also served as reviewer and editorial board member for several scientific journals.
Disclosure: Ujjwal Ramtekkar, MD, MPE, MBA has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
Instructor: Joshua Feder, MD
Dr. Joshua Feder is Director of Research, Graduate School, Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, voluntary associate professor at UCSD School of Medicine, and medical director at SymPlay, teaching, advocating, and developing technology to support relationship-based interventions (joshuafedermd.com).
Disclosure: Joshua Feder, MD discloses the following potential conflict of interests/commercial interests: Relevant Financial Relationship with Carlat Publishing as Editor in Chief
Relevant Financial Relationship with Quicksilver Software as Medical Director
Relevant Financial Relationship with Fielding Graduate as Adjunct Professor
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Advanced level Marriage and Family Therapists; Advanced level Professional Counselors; Advanced level Social Workers; Entry level Psychologists; Nurses; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.