Medication management during adolescence

When managing medication for an adolescent, the GP should:

• review drugs regularly and update medical records (see Medication reviews)
• review considerations in Key considerations when using a psychotropic drug in a person with developmental disability if the adolescent requires psychotropic medication
• ensure adolescents (and/or their carers) have strategies for drugs to be taken regularly and on time
• follow state and federal laws for use of stimulant medication—until transition occurs, paediatricians hold the permits for stimulants and in general GPs cannot prescribe them.

The use of stimulants in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is discussed in the Psychotropic guidelines.