The usefulness of thioridazine for treating childhood disorders--fact or folklore?

Studies of thioridazine (Mellaril) use for treating childhood behavior disorders were reviewed with a special emphasis on methodology, In general, we found that the caliber of these studies has been unsatisfactory and, furthermore, that measures of drug effect have tended to stress global rather than specific changes, resulting in little qualitative information being available. Examination of subgroups of children treated with thioridazine failed to reveal different levels of drug responsiveness. Few investigators have attempted to assess cognitive effects, but the evidence suggests that cognitive dulling may be an unwanted effect of treatment. Further research of sufficient quality is needed.