The process of prescribing changes as children move into adulthood. For some medicines, such as psychotropic drugs, safety and efficacy are less well understood in adolescents
As adolescents mature they attain the capacity to consent to their own medical treatment. An assessment of their competency will need to take into account the nature of the treatment being proposed
Parental involvement is usually beneficial particularly for adolescents with chronic or complex conditions, but increasing adolescent autonomy needs to be respected
Adherence to treatment can be supported by understanding adolescent development and involving adolescents in management plans
Keywords: adolescent development; informed consent.