Psychotropic Medication Policy

Developmental and Behavioral consult and follow-up appointments may include a discussion of medications called “psychotropic medications.” These are medications which are used to help with mental health and behavioral concerns. Although these medications are NEVER our first choice in treating your child, they are safe if used properly, and we want you to be informed of our policy towards using them. Your doctor will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the policy.

Please acknowledge by signing below that you have read our policy:

Physicians at Center City Pediatrics will occasionally prescribe medications that are also prescribed commonly by psychiatrists or behavioral/ developmental pediatricians. These medications include psychostimulants, SSRI’s, Alpha Agonists, atypical anti- psychotics, and benzodiazepines. Since many of these medications are considered by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as ‘controlled substances’ they are treated differently than a regular prescription. Due to fewer studies for medication use in children, some medications may be prescribed ‘off label’ or in a non-approved but commonly used manner. Any patient being treated with any of these medications, “on or off-label” needs to understand the following:

Regular Follow Up

Office appointments with a CCP physician to address specifically the psychotropic medication need to occur at least every 4 months, unless specifically written in chart that a longer duration between appointments is acceptable. During these appointments, weight, height and blood pressure need to be recorded.  If follow up appointments do not occur, your doctor will not agree to continue writing prescriptions for behavioral medications, unless specifically noted in writing.

Initial Prescriptions and Refills

Refills may take up to five working days to process.

Center City Pediatrics physicians will not refill medications prescribed by another physician from another practice, unless the patient has been specifically seen at CCP for the condition being treated. Center City Pediatrics physicians reserve the right to refuse to prescribe medication in the event that purported benefits do not appear, based on the physician’s judgment, to warrant risk of potential side-effects. At this point, CCP will provide the name of a Child Psychiatrist, who may continue care. Center City Pediatric physicians reserve the right to refuse to prescribe medications if the patient demonstrates non-compliance with this Policy or the physician’s instructions.

Tracking

All prescriptions for controlled substances, including psycho-stimulants and benzodiazepines are tracked by the Pennsylvania Drug Monitoring Program.

CCP physicians are NOT behavioral health counselors

We strongly believe that all children prescribed psychotropic medications also need to speak regularly to a behavioral health counselor. We will provide names of such professionals and reserve the right to refuse to prescribe medication if the child is not also working with a counselor.

Reporting Side Effects

Patients will be instructed to call Center City Pediatrics immediately to report any undesirable medication side-effects. These types of side-effects include but may not be limited to thoughts of self-harm, increased irritability, persistent headaches, dizziness, exacerbation of targeted symptoms, significant change in sleep habits, or significant loss of appetite. Parents will be instructed to read the insert from the pharmacy that clearly describes any side-effects related to the specific psychotropic medication prescribed.

Documentation

At the periodic visits to the practice, parents are expected to provide completed Vanderbilt Caregiver and Teacher Rating Forms, which can be printed from our web site (Click on http://centercitypediatrics.com/forms/ ) and look under CCP Developmental Screening Tools.