Zyprexa

Anti-psychotics are intended for use against schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses.

However, attention deficit disorder sometimes is accompanied by temper outbursts and other disruptive behavior.

As a result, some doctors prescribe anti-psychotics to these children to calm them down.

The drugs are considered safer than older anti-psychotics — at least in adults — but they can have serious side effects, including weight gain, elevated cholesterol and diabetes.

Anecdotal evidence suggests similar side effects occur in children.

The researchers analyzed data on youngsters age 13 on average who were involved in annual national health surveys.

The surveys involved prescriptions given during 119,752 doctor visits.

The study appears in the journal Ambulatory Pediatrics.

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