Psychotropic medication in adolescents: a review.

All published articles of double-blind, controlled studies of drug treatment of mental disorders in adolescents are reviewed. The evidence for efficacy ranges from suggestive to nonexistent, without any match of drug and disorder showing definitive evidence, either because of the limited number of studies available or because these studies have less than clear findings. Special considerations in the study of adolescent psychopharmacology are addressed, and a practical approach to drug treatment making the best use of the limited information available is offered.