When treating children, prescribers often adjust dosages approved for adults to accommodate a child's weight. However, children are not just "smaller" adults. Adults and children process and respond to drugs differently in their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Children even respond differently during stages from infancy to adolescence. This poses potential safety concerns when prescribing drugs to pediatric patients. As an advanced practice nurse, you have to be aware of safety implications of the off-label use of drugs with this patient group.
To prepare:
• Review the Bazzano et al. and Mayhew articles and media presentation in the Learning Resources. Reflect on situations in which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use.
• Think about strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence. Consider specific off-label drugs that you think require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics.
An explanation of circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. Then, describe strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence. Include descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics.
REFERENCES:
Readings-
• Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
? Review Chapter 4, "Principles of Pharmacotherapy in Pediatrics" (pp. 49-59)
? Chapter 43, "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" (pp. 671-683)
• Bazzano, A. T, Mangione-Smith, R., Schonlau, M., Suttorp, M. J., & Brook, R. H. (2009). Off-label prescribing to children in the United States outpatient setting. Academic Pediatrics, 9(2), 81-88.
• Mayhew, M. (2009). Off-label prescribing. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 5(2), 122-123.
Media-
• Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Advanced pharmacology - Final course review. Baltimore, MD: Author.