Old drugs, new uses.

Advances in pediatric health care have prolonged lives and improved the quality of life for children and adolescents. These advances include not only high-tech devices and new medications but also re-application of available medications to take advantage of unexpected benefits which may not have been known previously or even side effects that can have therapeutic value for diseases and conditions refractory to other treatment. This review describes new uses for anti-epileptic medications, thalidomide, intravenous immunoglobulin, hydroxyurea, methotrexate, botulinum toxin, bisphosphonates, and aspirin in the medical care of children. Methods of action and concerns for the pediatric dentist are described for children benefiting from these new applications.