Tuesday, August 28, 2007

US OKs J&J drug for 2 mental disorders in children

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) won U.S. approval to promote the drug Risperdal for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in children and teenagers, officials said on Wednesday.

The prescription drug is the first medicine cleared specifically to treat schizophrenia in children, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Risperdal is already sold to treat adults with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as for irritability associated with autism in children ages 5 to 16.

Doctors have been using Risperdal and other antipsychotic medicines to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but the FDA stamp of approval will allow Johnson & Johnson to promote the drug for schizophrenic patients ages 13 to 17, and for short-term treatment of bipolar episodes in ages 10 to 17.

READ MORE @ REUTERS