PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF DRUG-TREATMENT FOR BEHAVIOR AND SEIZURE DISORDERS OF TMR STUDENTS

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 85  (6) , 588-595
Abstract
The prevalence and pattern of psychotropic and anti-epileptic drug treatment for TMR [trainable mentally retarded] children and adolescents in public schools were determined from teacher questionnaires and parent interviews. The relationship between drug use and age, race and sex was also examined. During the school year, 10% of the students received medication for seizure disorders and 4.9% were treated for behavior disorders. An additional 1.8% were treated concurrently for both a seizure and a behavior disorder. Apparently, dosages of methylphenidate (Ritalin), the most frequently prescribed drug for persons with behavior disorders, were conservative. The results were interpreted with regard to drug use among nonretarded and severely and profoundly mentally retarded populations. Other drugs administered were: pemoline, d-amphetamine, imipramine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, trifluoperazine, diazepam, hydroxyzine, chlordiazepoxide, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, acetazolamide, ethosuximide, clonazepam, mephobarbital and methosuximide.