Autism Spectrum: Pharmacological interventions

0
11K


Medications may be used to treat ASD symptoms that interfere with integrating a child into home or school when behavioral treatment fails. They may also be used for associated health problems, such as ADHD or anxiety. However, their routine prescription for the core features of ASD is not recommended. More than half of US children diagnosed with ASD are prescribed psychoactive drugs or anticonvulsants, with the most common drug classes being antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics. The atypical antipsychotic drugs risperidone and aripiprazole are FDA-approved for treating associated aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. However, their side effects must be weighed against their potential benefits, and autistic people may respond atypically. Side effects may include weight gain, tiredness, drooling, and aggression. There is some emerging data that show positive effects of aripiprazole and risperidone on restricted and repetitive behaviors (i.e., stimming; e.g., flapping, twisting, complex whole-body movements), but due to the small sample size and different focus of these studies and the concerns about its side effects, antipsychotics are not recommended as primary treatment of RRBs. SSRI antidepressants, such as fluoxetine and fluvoxamine, have been shown to be effective in reducing repetitive and ritualistic behaviors, while the stimulant medication methylphenidate is beneficial for some children with co-morbid inattentiveness or hyperactivity. There is scant reliable research about the effectiveness or safety of drug treatments for adolescents and adults with ASD.] No known medication relieves autism's core symptoms of social and communication impairments.

Search
Categories
Read More
Business
How Does Technology Help Business Growth?
In today’s digital era, technology is a key driver of business growth. From streamlining...
By Dacey Rankins 2025-09-04 13:29:26 0 8K
Life Issues
The Gold Rush. (1925)
A prospector goes to the Klondike during the 1890s gold rush in hopes of making his fortune, and...
By Leonard Pokrovski 2023-03-19 18:45:00 0 23K
Personal Finance
What Is the Best Way to Save Money? A Practical Guide to Building Financial Security
What Is the Best Way to Save Money? A Practical Guide to Building Financial Security Saving...
By Leonard Pokrovski 2025-12-04 17:16:22 0 2K
Finance
Is Forex Trading Profitable? A Comprehensive Analysis
Is Forex Trading Profitable? A Comprehensive Analysis Foreign exchange (Forex or FX) trading is...
By Leonard Pokrovski 2025-10-15 11:10:06 0 6K
Life Issues
Second Act. (2018)
A big box store worker reinvents her life and her life-story and shows Madison Avenue what street...
By Leonard Pokrovski 2023-05-28 19:17:32 0 31K

BigMoney.VIP Powered by Hosting Pokrov