Psychopharmacology of Treating Explosive Behavior

Carrie Vaudreuil; Abigail Farrell; Janet Wozniak

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2021.04.006

Psychopharmacology of Treating Explosive Behavior

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2021 Jul;30(3):537-560. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2021.04.006.

Authors

Carrie Vaudreuil¹, Abigail Farrell², Janet Wozniak³

Affiliations

¹ Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Warren 705, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
² Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Warren 705, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
³ Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Warren 705, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: jwozniak@partners.org.

PMID: 34053685
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2021.04.006

Abstract

Explosive and aggressive behavior in children can pose safety risks, disturb family functioning, and lead to significant impairments. Pharmacologic management should be based on the first-line treatment of the primary psychiatric diagnoses of the patient and initiated in combination with appropriate psychosocial interventions. Review of the literature suggests that risperidone has the most supporting evidence in the treatment of explosive behavior. Stimulants have been shown to be helpful in the treatment of explosive behavior in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Medication treatment can be associated with significant side effects and therefore the risks and benefits of medication management must be weighed carefully.

Keywords: Explosiveness; Irritability; Pediatric; Psychopharmacology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Aggression
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / drug therapy
Central Nervous System Stimulants* / adverse effects
Child
Humans
Psychopharmacology*
Risperidone / therapeutic use

Substances

Central Nervous System Stimulants
Risperidone