Psychotropic medication use in human immunodeficiency virus-infected youth receiving treatment at a single institution.

A cross-sectional study designed to document the use of psychotropic medication in a population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children and adolescents (n = 64) found 45% of the sample had been prescribed at least one psychotropic medication over a 4-year period. The most common medication category prescribed was antidepressants (30%), followed by stimulant-type medications (25%). This study suggests that psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed to HIV-infected children and adolescents. Close partnership with mental health professionals to develop treatment approaches for psychiatric disorders in youth living with HIV is recommended.