Zyprexa

© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.

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

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

As a result, some doctors prescribe anti-psychotics to calm children with the disorder.

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

Anecdotal evidence suggests similar side effects occur in children, Cooper said.

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

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

The researchers used that data to come up with national estimates.

The study appears in the March-April edition of the journal Ambulatory Pediatrics.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press.

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