A Brief Review of Psychopharmacological Treatments for Autism
Though there are 2 drugs that are FDA approved for autism, doctors can't agree on a treatment that reliably works. Parents need to check the FULL LIST of side effects before deciding whether or not to put their child on a drug for autism. Drugs that are given to kids for autism can cause addiction and dependency, weight gain, metabolic disorders, and dyskinesias as well as early death and cardiovascular disorders.Autism Drug Side Effects
Most of the autism drugs that are regularly prescribed at this time have a long list of side effects and many of the side effects are worse than the symptoms that they aim to treat. Side effects are often (but not always) downplayed by doctors and major conventional medicine websites, but parents need to take a critical look at the side effects for drugs they intend to give to their children. Conventional medicine websites classify drug side effects by whether they are more or less common, but as a parent, you have to remember that you are giving your child a drug and one of the less common, serious side effects can, in fact, develop. Often, though these side effects lists for autism drugs are long and they affect multiple systems of the body, the lists are purposely presented in a disorganized way that makes it hard for parents and caregivers to be able to see at a glance how the drug might be damaging their child’s body.
Once you give your child an autism drug, you then have to worry about the drug side effects, so be sure to look closely at the lists of side effects that we provide below. Some drugs produce lasting side effects even after the drug is discontinued. These side effects can often be reduced using alternative, non-pharmacological treatments, but fixing issues that are caused by drugs can be complicated. If your child has a particular weakness in his or her constitution (e.g. heart problems or digestive issues), pay special attention to the side effects that impact those systems of the body.
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Autism treatment varies across the globe. For example, in France, children with autism do not usually take prescription drugs to treat symptoms. In France, an adult with autism may be prescribed drugs for their symptoms, but children with autism in France are not usually medicated. In contrast, about 50% of both adults and children with autism in the United States are medicated.The drugs that are prescribed for autism in children in the United States are not usually prescribed on the basis of controlled studies, a fact that few parents / caregivers know about. As we’ve discussed elsewhere, there are a number of other theories about the how and why autism develops. And there are many other medical models beyond just conventional medicine that can successfully treat autism and cure this disease without causing severe, lasting side effects. Indeed, there are very few doctors who cure autism in conventional medicine with the exception of a few like Dr. Rashid Buttar (a doctor who’s own child developed autism, in fact – he cured his child of autism). Parents / caregivers whose children receive an ASD diagnosis can search for a doctor who cures autism rather than simply a doctor who treats autism using the drug therapies that we list below. Parents can also seek out other models of medicine and alternative treatments for autism to expand the options. Many children with autism benefit from a protocol of treatments that include dietary changes and nutritional supplements among other things.
Click here to read more about Cerebrolysin as an alternative treatment for autism.
Click here to read more about an alternative theory of autism.
Below we discuss drugs for autism that are commonly prescribed by doctors.
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Neurochemical Drugs for Autism
About 30% of patients with autism experience abnormally increased levels of serotonin. The Serotonergic Hypothesis of Autism was developed on the basis of this fact even though 70% of patients do NOT have elevated serotonin levels and many patients do not respond to serotonin treatment for autism. Like the Opioid Hypothesis of Autism, the Serotonergic Hypothesis of Autism has a very narrow mechanistic view of the human brain and it aims to sell drugs that alter serotonin levels in some way. While some patients are helped with serotonin-drugs, a number of patients are not.Serotonin impacts the brain, but serotonin is primarily found in the gut so digestive problems are common in children who are treated with serotonergic drugs. Children with autism already tend to have serious digestive issues and taking a drug that alters serotonin levels also alters the movements of the intestines, usually to create some form of digestive disturbance.
Dopamine antagonists and antipsychotics are commonly used to treat autism as well. Haloperidol impacts the dopamine system while Risperidone impacts both serotonin and dopamine. Both of these drugs have a long list of serious side effects. Only Risperidone and Aripiprazole are FDA-approved for the treatment of autism. We provide a detailed list of the side effects associated with Risperidone, Haloperidol, and Aripiprazole, but if your doctor prescribes any of the other drugs included in this discussion or a drug that is not listed here, be sure to find the full list of side effects at a trusted website. It is impossible to include a full list of all drugs that a doctor might prescribe off-label for autism, but parents can seek out the lists of drug side effects to get a better idea of how a given drug might impact their child.
Note that many of the mainstream conventional medicine websites do not include a full list of side effects on the “landing page” for a given drug. Search for a link on the landing page to find the full list of side effects for that drug. Then, take some time to organize those side effects by system of the body so that you can take a critical look at what that drug is really doing to your child’s body. Then you can make a critical decision about whether or not that drug is right for your child.
Risperdal / Risperidone for Autism:
Risperidone is also known as Risperdal. This drug is believed to be a dopamine and serotonin antagonist but there are no established mechanisms of action that explain how Risperidone actually works to treat autism. Risperidone is one of the more commonly prescribed drugs for autism because it is supposedly better tolerated than some of the other drugs that doctors prescribe, but that does not make it safe (see the side effects listed below). Risperidone and Aripiprazole are the only FDA-approved autism medications on the market currently, so these are the drugs that doctors are prescribing to patients en masse. Unfortunately, Risperidone / Risperdal come with a long list of side effects and many of these side effects involve health problems and behaviors that are just as serious, if not more serious than the problems that parents are trying to treat.None of the drugs that your doctor might prescribe to treat autism are cures for autism. All of the drugs are literally designed by Big Pharma to tether the patient to the healthcare system for life. Some of the drugs cause actual physical damage while others necessitate the prescription of other drugs to cover up side effects. Once a child is on drugs, it is much more difficult to overcome autism symptoms and cure this disease until drug therapy is ended.
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Why Doctors Prescribe Risperdal for Autism
Studies have shown that Risperidone may be helpful in lessening lethargy and improving speech in some children, but it also has a reputation for causing weight gain. So while your child may be less lethargic at first, if they gain a lot of weight on this drug and they develop side effects, then, if you decide to take your child off Risperidone for autism, you’ll have a lethargic child who is also overweight.
That being said, many doctors prescribe Risperidone / Risperdal for autism as a treatment for aggression and irritability because it is FDA approved for use in children over the age of 5 to 6 years. Doctors want to help their patients, and according to conventional medicine, FDA approval means that the doctor is using a legitimized treatment and the treatment is “safe”. If an FDA-approved treatment doesn’t work, doctors are not liable in the same way that they would be in using an off-label medication or a natural form of treatment.
Apparently, Risperidone is sometimes prescribed in children as young as 3 years of age, though this is not recommended by the FDA. One study that looked at Risperidone for autism, noted that “early intervention is key to improving long-term outcomes”, but this particular study did not in any way prove that Risperidone was the proper early intervention treatment for improving those outcomes. Nonetheless, the way that this article is written implies that Risperidone is a good “early-intervention treatment” and doctors who are searching for solutions for their patient (and who have multiple patients to tend to) may read the abstract quickly and fail to see that the study included only 10 children. That’s an extremely small sample size. It was hardly a big enough or long enough study to conclude that Risperidone is a good treatment choice for children under 4 years of age. In this study about 60% of patients (6 out of 10) who received treatment with Risperidone had either minimal or no symptoms of irritability and aggression, but 2 of those patients experienced excessive weight gain that required intervention. So those results aren’t nearly as spectacular as the study implies. Patients in this study also received Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine in addition to Risperidone. Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine often work well for short periods of time but these drugs damage dopamine receptors and in the long-term, they cause addiction and dependence.
Piracetam is an alternative treatment for a child with autism. Piracetam heals cells to reduce symptoms of autism.
If your autistic child has been prescribed drugs like Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine for autism, please click here to read more about how these drugs impact children long-term and an alternative, natural therapy for ADHD symptoms that regrows dopamine receptors to cure ADHD over the course of about 5 months of treatment.
The safety and effectiveness of Risperidone for autism in children under 5 years of age and under 15 kg body weight have not been established. Studies have only examined the short-term effects of Risperidone for autism, but the effects of longer treatment durations especially in children, is completely unknown and un-studied. Yet, Risperidone is FDA approved. Doctors prescribe these drugs to patients with good intention – most doctors truly want to help their patients solve problems related to aggression and irritability in children among other things, but this is a drug that can have unpredictable, long-term consequences in terms of side effects.
One study indicated that 27.5% of patients experience dyskinesias as a result of taking Risperidone for autism.
Risperidone / Risperdal for Autism: Side Effects
- Rapid increase in height
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Puffing of the cheeks
- Bleeding gums
- Rapid weight loss
- Rapid weight gain
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Stuffy, runny nose
- Chills
- Shivering
- Cold Sweats
- Severe Nervous System Reaction
- Seizures
- Drowsiness
- Decreased awareness or responsiveness
- Loss of consciousness
- Speech problems
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of memory
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Low body temperature
- Mental, Mood, or Behavioral Side Effects
- Depression
- Hostility
- Irritability
- Aggressive behavior
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Talking, feeling, or acting uncontrollably excited
- Eye and Vision-Related Side Effects
- Vision changes or blurry vision
- Actions that are out of control
- Digestive System Side Effects
- Difficulty swallowing
- Extreme thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Fruity breath odor
- Stomach pain
- Clay-colored stools
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Blood in the stools
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vomiting of blood
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice due to liver problems)
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion
- Increased hunger
- Sleep-Related Side Effects
- Nightmares
- Increase in dream activity
- Insomnia
- Cardiovascular Side Effects
- Chest pain
- Fast, weak heartbeat
- Fast, shallow breathing
- Weak, feeble pulse
- Fast heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat
- Respiratory Side Effects
- Cough
- Muscular and Movement-RelatedSide Effects
- Muscle aches
- Twitching
- Muscle weakness
- Clumsiness
- Mask-like face - inability to produce facial expressions
- Severe restlessness
- Shuffling walk
- Stiff legs or arms
- Weakness in the legs or arms
- Sudden weakness or numbness in the arms, face, or legs
- Back pain
- Muscle cramps
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Inability to move the eyes
- Loss of balance
- Poor coordination
- Muscle spasms in the face, back, and neck
- Involuntary repetitive body movements
- Grimacing
- Chewing
- Frowning
- Smacking the lips
- Sticking out the tongue
- Slow writhing movements
- Blinking or eye movements
- Tic-like twitching movements
- Trembling fingers or hands
- Reproductive System Side Effects
- Priapism - a prolonged, painful, and inappropriate erection of the penis
- Swelling of the penis or testes
- Growth of pubic hair
- Kidney and urinary tract issues
- Blood in the urine / dark urine
- Decreased frequency of urination
- Decrease in urine volume
- Difficulty passing urine
- Increased urine production
- Painful urination
- Skin and Blood Changes
- Cool, pale skin
- Bluish lips or skin
- Unusually pale skin
- Clammy skin
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Skin rash
- Itchy skin
- Flushed dry skin
- Hives
- Pinpoint red spots on the skin
- Large hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, throat, tongue, hands, feet, legs, or genitals
Aripiprazole for Autism:
Aripiprazole is prescribed to treat irritability in autism patients. This drug is an antipsychotic that blocks dopamine transmission.Aripiprazole was FDA-approved in 2009 to treat ASD-associated behavioral problems in children between the ages of 6 to 17 years. There have been two 8-week studies showing that Aripiprazole can help alleviate behavioral issues in the short-term, but long-term studies have not been done to establish that Aripiprazole is safe.
Additionally, one study looked at autism patients who initially responded to Aripiprazole to determine whether the medication was still, in fact, working. In the study, there was no significant difference between the patients taking Aripiprazole and those who were given a placebo.
There has only been one study comparing Aripiprazole with Risperidone. This study showed that Risperidone may have a longer-term effectiveness in comparison with Aripiprazole, but it also causes more severe side effects including hyperprolactinemia, sedation, and metabolic effects. Both Risperidone and Aripiprazole increase risk of cardiovascular problems, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and weight gain.
Aripiprazole for Autism: Side Effects
- Impulse control problems (e.g. binge eating, gambling)
- Fatigue
- Somnolence
- Heightened risk of suicide
- Digestive System Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Cardiovascular Side Effects
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Muscular System Side Effects
- Tremors
- Motor impairment
- Severe Nervous System Reactions
- Seizures / Convulsions
- Cognitive impairment
- Akithisia
- Subjective feeling of inner restlessness
- Mental distress
- Inability to sit still
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Hyperthermia
- Muscular rigidity
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
- Altered consciousness
- Metabolic Side Effects
- Hyperglycemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Dyslipidemia
- Weight gain
- Immune System Effects
- Poor Immunity
- Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
- Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
- Agranulocytosis (a severe lack of one type of infection-fighting white blood cells)
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Blinking or eye movements
- Involuntary repetitive body movements
- Loss of balance
- Grimacing
- Chewing
- Frowning
- Sticking out the tongue
- Smacking the lips
- Slow writhing movements
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Haloperidol for Autism:
Though Haloperidol is not FDA-approved, we’ve included the list of side effects associated with this drug because it is commonly prescribed for autism due to the fact that it has a higher level of effectiveness than some of the other drugs that we provide in this list. Unfortunately though, this drug also comes with a long list of serious side effects that need to be considered by parents and caregivers.Haloperidol is a dopamine antagonist that is used to treat stereotypical behaviors, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, mood problems, abnormal object relations, and social withdrawal. This is a drug that can feel like a life-saver for parents whose children are exhibiting extreme behaviors, but it can, over time, cause kids to feel sedated and lifeless as well.
Studies have shown that Haloperidol produces only a modest effect, so parents need to carefully consider the long list of side effects below before embarking on a journey with this drug. Long-term administration of Haloperidol is associated with the development of tardive dyskinesia in autistic children.
Note that scientific studies have shown that antipsychotic medications like Haloperidol increase mortality rates in patients primarily through their effects on the heart and as a result of the fact that they cause patients to experience poor immunity against infectious disease.
In children and adolescents with autism, Haloperidol works as a short-term and long-term treatment although long-term treatment can lead to dyskinesia that persists after Haloperidol treatment has ended in about 34% of patients.
Haloperidol is more effective than Fluphenazine at reducing symptoms of social withdrawal, steroptypies, and aggression. In adults with autism, Haloperidol works better than Clomipramine to manage irritability, hyperactivity, and global symptoms of autism in kids over the age of 10 years and adults. Older kids respond better to treatment with Haloperidol than younger children and children with a higher IQ tend to respond better to this drug treatment. Haloperidol is also most effective when autism symptoms are severe. Haloperidol and Olanzapine have shown comparable symptom reduction in children.
Haloperidol has been shown to reduce stereotypies, maladaptive behaviors, and symptoms of social withdrawal in children who are older than 4 years. One common adverse effect is acute dystonic reactions involving an involuntary contraction of the muscles of the face, neck, abdomen, pelvis, larynx, and extremities. These muscular contractions may either be sustained or intermittent, resulting in abnormal movement or posturing. Sometimes dystonic reactions are life-threatening Other adverse events include sedation and akathisia (a movement disorder that is characterized by an inability to sit still, a subjective feeling of inner restlessness, and mental distress).
The development of long-term dyskinesia caused by Haloperidol has not generally been associated with short-term treatment (less than 6 months). Long-term treatment with Haloperidol lasting longer than 6 months has proven to be effective at reducing maladaptive behaviors such as anger, irritability, and uncooperativeness. Unfortunately though, about 34% of patients developed dyskinesias as a result of long-term treatment with Haloperidol for autism. Risk factors that increase the probability of developing dyskinesias included female gender, long-term treatment, and higher dose.
Haloperidol for Autism: Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Headache
- Increased frequency of seizures
- Difficulty speaking
- Vision-Related Side Effects
- Inability to move the eyes
- Blinking or eye movements
- Mental, Mood, or Behavioral Side Effects
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Sleep-Related Side Effects
- Insomnia
- Skin Side Effects
- Skin rash
- Unusually pale skin (as a result of the drug’s impact on melanin - click here to learn more about autism and pale skin)
- Kidney and Urinary Tract Side Effects
- Loss of bladder control
- Digestive System Side Effects
- Loss of appetite
- Continual vomiting and nausea
- Constipation
- Throat tightness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tardive dyskinesia / uncontrollable muscle movements
- Involuntary repetitive body movements
- Grimacing
- Chewing
- Frowning
- Smacking the lips
- Sticking out the tongue
- Slow writhing movements
- Blinking or eye movements
- Loss of balance
- Muscular System Side Effects
- Muscle spasms in the neck
- Cardiovascular Side Effects
- Fast and/or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Respiratory System Side Effects
- Shortness of breath
- Cough with mucus
- Reproductive System Side Effects
- Breast enlargement
- Irregular menstruation
- Low white blood cell count / low immunity
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Chills
- Skin sores
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe nervous system reaction
- Tremors
- Feeling faint
- Sweating
- High fever
- Stiff / rigid muscles
Other Autism Drugs
In conventional medicine, the only real tool that doctors are allowed to work with are pharmaceuticals. Rarely, doctors will prescribe nutritional supplements or injections There are only two FDA-approved drugs at the time of this writing: Aripiprazole and Risperidone. Some doctors prescribe these drugs to autism patients like a knee-jerk reflex while other doctors get more creative and they experiment with atypical antipsychotics, serotonergic drugs, or drugs like Naltrexone. Many of these drugs cause significant adverse effects.Parents and caregivers who are new to the drug treadmill are often unaware of what’s happening when they agree to give their autistic child a drug. The pharmaceutical industry develops drugs that are designed to be profitable and doctors are Big Pharma distribution agents. Salespeople from Big Pharma visit doctor’s offices to educate doctors about the latest and greatest drugs that are still under patent and offer doctors spiffs and commissions if they sell more of this drug or that drug. Doctors get things like pens or clocks that have the name of a drug on it (to remind the doctor to prescribe that drug often), but doctors also receive things like luxury vacations to faraway places.
A drug that is no longer under patent can be produced by any pharmaceutical company. Thus, a drug that is no longer under patent is not as profitable as a drug that is under patent. So, when a drug is no longer under patent, Big Pharma heads back to the lab to create a second, third, or fourth generation version of that same drug. Though a first-generation drug may be relatively safe, well-tested, and effective at treating a given disorder, if it is no longer under patent, Big Pharma will modify the first generation drug (which is always a modified version of something that exists in nature) into a second generation drug that doctors are then told to prescribe. The second generation drug may be very similar to the first generation drug on the molecular level, but inside the human body, it may produce a totally different array of side effects.
Doctors, in an effort to provide their patients with solutions and treatments for what ails them, prescribe drugs that are not FDA-approved for autism. Essentially, doctors experiment with drugs that have not been tested in children for autism. They prescribe these drugs “off-label” and then watch and see what happens. When the results are poor, they may monitor the child or take him or her off the medication. When the results are good, doctors may write up a case study to get bonus points in the research and medical communities.
Clomipramine
Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that was initially prescribed for autism, but it is no longer in common use because it causes serious side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants are thought to work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the presynaptic terminals. This leads to higher levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft.Clomipramine was used to treat repetitive behaviors and stereotypies as well as aggression and hyperactivity. Some children who were given Clomipramine for autism worsened in terms of irritability, self-mutilation, and sound sensitivity.
This drug has had mixed results in studies and severe adverse events have overshadowed its use. Essentially, studies into clomipramine for autism have shown some positive results in terms of a reduction in autism symptoms but the significant adverse events have ruled out the use of this drug.
Fluvoxamine
As a drug for autism Fluvoxamine functions as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is primarily in use as an anti-depressant. This drug is poorly tolerated in children and it has minimal effectiveness. One study, for example, involved 15 children between 5 to 18 years of age. In the study, 1 subject showed improvement while 14 subjects showed no improvement and experienced severe adverse effects like insomnia, aggression, anxiety, lack of appetite or increased appetite, irritability, decreased concentration, increased ritualistic behavior, and increased impulsivity.In adults with autism, Fluvoxamine is better tolerated and can sometimes be used to treat repetitive behavior, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, maladaptive behavior, and aggression. In adults, Fluvoxamine has about a 53% response rate.
Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine for autism has been prescribed to treat repetitive behaviors in children, though it is more effective in adults. Adolescents seem to experience more adverse effects than adults who are taking Fluoxetine. Studies have shown that adolescents tend to experience anxiety and agitation when taking Fluoxetine.Fluoxetine is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) that has had decent results in the treatment of repetitive behaviors in autism (about a 50% positive response rate). Some autism patients also show improvement in irritability, lethargy, inappropriate speech, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, temper tantrums, and stereotypy when taking Fluoxetine.
About 23% of patients experience adverse effects from Fluoxetine for autism.
Sertraline
Sertraline has moderate effectiveness in the treatment of aggression and repetitive behaviors in adults with autism but very few Sertraline studies have been done on children with autism. In one study, involving 9 children between 6 to 12 years of age, Sertraline improved panic, anxiety, irritability, and agitation, but like some of the other drugs in this list, the initial response to treatment did not last. After only a few months, Sertraline stops working.Sertraline treatment is often discontinued due to increased anxiety and agitation, worsening of self-mutilation behaviors, fainting, weight gain, and drug non-compliance. Also, the initial improvements that parents and caregivers notice during the early stages of treatment often disappear.
Citalopram
Citalopram for autism has limited effectiveness and it comes with a high risk of adverse effects. Indeed, studies have shown that Citalopram is more likely to cause adverse effects than to manage symptoms of autism.
Escitalopram
For autism, Escitalopram has been used in children, but there aren’t any studies proving that it has long-term effects on behavior. Like other drugs, the initial positive effects may, in fact, disappear with long-term treatment as the body habituates to the drug. In 78% of subjects, doses above 10 mg / day caused irritability and hyperactivity.Venlafaxine
Some doctors have used Venlafaxine for autism. This drug is a combined serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It has been prescribed for children, adults, and adolescents, but studies regarding the effectiveness, safety, and long-term utility of Venlafaxine are lacking. The only studies that have been done are small, open-label reports.In one study, patients between the ages of 3 to 21 years of age experienced a 60% improvement rate in symptoms involving repetitive behaviors and interests, communication, poor attention, hyperactivity, and social deficits. However, this study did not examine long-term effects of Venlafaxine. Adverse effects included poor attention, polyuria (excessive urination), nause, and activation of negative behaviors.
Trazadone
Trazadone is a heterocyclic antidepressant that has been used in limited situations to reduce aggression and self-mutilation. In some patients, however, priapism (prolonged and painful penile erection) occurred as an adverse effects. There have been no large-scale studies done on the use of Trazadone for autism.Mirtazapine
Some doctors have prescribed Mirtazapine for autism. This drug is a tetracyclic antidepressant that antagonizes the adrenergic and serotonin receptors. It has had some limited success at treating symptoms of autism such as inappropriate sexual behavior. Mirtazapine has only a 35% response rate at treating self-injury, aggression, anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, excessive masturbation or other inappropriate sexual behaviors, and depression. Patients experience adverse effects such as increase in appetite, sedation, and irritability. Studies have not been done to prove that this drug is safe and that it continues to work over time.Fenfluramine
Though initially this drug seemed to improve behavioral disturbances in autism, Fenfluramine was removed from the market because it caused serious side effects. This is an anti-serotonergic drug. Despite the initial buzz about Fenfluramine, recent, more carefully designed studies have found that, in fact, Fenfluramine treatment is not superior to treatment with a placebo.Naltrexone
Some doctors have prescribed Naltrexone for autism to reduce serious behavioral issues such as aggression and self-inflicted injury. Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist and its use as a treatment for autism was based on the similarity between autism symptoms and abnormal behaviors due to opiate addiction. Also, a subgroup of children with autism have abnormal endogenous opioid levels which was used to justified experimentation with Naltrexone. Current studies into Naltrexone have not been able to replicate positive findings that were seen in earlier studies.We discuss Naltrexone for autism in greater detail at this link.
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Buspirone
Buspirone is a serotonin agonist that is used for mood disorders and sleep problems. For autism, Buspirone has been used to treat the core symptoms in children under 18 years of age. Studies into Buspirone for autism have demonstrated overall symptom improvement but the quality of these studies is low. Most of the studies indicate that Buspirone is safe for children with ASD, but scientists have also noted that there is insufficient evidence to recommend Buspirone for autism symptoms. On the other hand though, this drug did not produce the same kind of adverse reactions that most autism drugs are famous for and it does not seem to cause behaviors to worsen as a result of treatment either. Buspirone is particularly appropriate for treating anxiety, irritability, and hyperactivity in children.Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a noradrenergic drug that is also known as Ritalin. It is most famous as a treatment for ADHD. Results of treatment with methylphenidate are variable. Children with severe mental retardation may have paradoxical effects from taking this drug.Methylphenidate is a stimulant and an addictive drug that is related to methamphetamine. It has moderate, short-term effectiveness at treating hyperactivity in ASD children, but it causes adverse effects and after the first few months of treatment, it stops working. The largest double-blind study on Methylphenidate for autism included 72 children, a small sample size. Subjects ranged in age from 5 to 14 years. Methylphenidate had a 49% response rate, but the magnitude of the response was relatively low. About 18% of subjects dropped out of the study because of adverse effects like increased irritability. Other studies have had a similar drop-out rate.
In children between 3 to 5 years of age with autism, Methylphenidate can produce a response in about 50% of kids, but half of those kids will have adverse effects.
Propanolol
Propanolol has been used in some cases to successfully reduce behavioral disturbances in autistic children. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that has been used to treat anxiety in patients who do not have ASD. Studies have shown that Propranolol can be used to treat anxiety in autism patients.Propranolol is usually prescribed to treat hypertension / high blood pressure and even in the low to moderate doses used for that purpose, propranolol is a drug that patients can’t just stop taking if they decide they don’t want to be tethered to it anymore. In those with anxiety or autism, Propranolol is administered at higher doses to reduce symptoms like rage and anger, but parents need to be aware that Propranolol requires a commitment. If you ever decide you want your child to quit taking this drug, you’ll have to work with a doctor to slowly reduce the dose over time.
High dose Propranolol for autism requires that patients undergo clinical monitoring to ensure that adverse cardiovascular effects don’t occur.
Pimozide
Pimozide is a typical antipsychotic medication that has been used to treat sleep problems and excretion disorders in children with autism. This drug can cause involuntary muscle contractions (dystonic reactions) which can, in some cases, be life-threatening. Pimozide has effects that are similar to Haloperidol.Clonidine
Clonidine is an adrenergic drug that has been used primarily to treat aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, sleep, and behavioral disorders. This drug has been used by doctors to try to treat impulsivity, insomnia, mood problems, aggression, and lack of attention. Clonidine can reduce the time it takes for a child to fall asleep and also reduce night awakening.Clonidine may be administered transdermally or orally.
This drug can cause children to feel sleepy, weak, dizzy, faint, or tired during the day. Many patients experience constipation and dry mouth. Some may also experience difficulty sleeping or depression as a result of taking Clonidine.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is often prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. This drug can be addictive and its medicinal effects are short-lived. In other words, within just months after treatment is initiated with Atomoxetine, children begin to develop the same symptom severity and even sometimes a worsening of symptoms. It has only moderate effectiveness in the treatment of hyperactivity and poor attention in children and adolescents.
Atomoxetine adverse effects included digestive issues, a decrease in appetite, irritability, ear ringing, sleep problems, sedation, and mood swings. There is about a 42% discontinuation rate because of the adverse effects.
Guanfacine
Guanfacine has a response rate of only 24-48% in children between 3 to 18 years of age. This drug is still prescribed by doctors at times to try to treat hyperactivity, inattention, tics, and insomnia. Doctors choose this drug for patients who are not responsive to other medications. Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified diagnoses, and Asperger’s syndrome had up to a 57% response rate in comparison with children with autism. Children who also have developmental delays are less responsive to Guanfacine.D-Cycloserine
D-Cycloserine is drug that is used by some doctors to treat social withdrawal. This drug is an NMDA-receptor partial agonist. Studies have shown that for autism, D-Cycloserine has about a 60% decrease in symptom severity, but studies were conducted over the course of only 2 weeks. One study that included 12 patients between 5 to 27 years of age showed that this drug was able to improve social impairments, but there were no other significant improvements in ASD symptoms. Social impairment improvements were rated at 60%, but this is a subjective rating. Also, 2 of the 12 patients experienced adverse effects like echolalia (repeating what another person says) and motor tics.Secretin
Secretin is a gastrointestinal hormone that regulates the action of the intestines and the pancreas. Secretin regulates gastric acid, pancreatic bicarbonate, and the osmoregulation of the duodenum.Secretin for autism has only produced improvements in isolated cases and controlled studies have not been able to replicate the positive results. At least 7 studies of children under the age of 12 years have demonstrated that Secretin is not an effective choice for ASD treatment. None of the studies that have been done in children under 12 years using Secretin for autism have demonstrated significant improvement over treatment with a placebo.
This is a drug that has been studied extensively despite the fact that scientists keep proving that it doesn’t work as a treatment for autism.
Lithium Carbonate
The natural salt of lithium is Lithium Orotate. Lithium Orotate exists naturally in higher or lower concentrations in drinking water. In areas of the world where Lithium Orotate concentration is higher, there are fewere suicides and homicides in the general population. Lithium Orotate, the natural, non-synthetic salt of Lithium, lifts the mood and it has a calming effect on the mind and body. Natural Lithium Orotate, which is available over-the-counter as a nutritional supplement, is generally given in doses of between 5 - 100 mg.There are two synthetic forms of Lithium that have been developed by Big Pharma as patentable medications that are only sold by prescription: 1) Lithium Carbonate and 2) Lithium Chloride. While Lithium Orotate as a salt, has a healing impact on cells, the synthetic, non-natural salts of Lithium can be toxic if taken at the wrong dose. Most people are not aware of the fact that Lithium Orotate is an affordable, natural, non-toxic, over-the-counter salt of Lithium that can be taken to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and autism. Doctors can prescribe Lithium Carbonate or Lithium Chloride and these synthetic drugs are sold at a much higher profit even though they can be rather dangerous and toxic to the body.
In Big Pharma-funded studies, Lithium Carbonate significantly reduced symptoms of ADHD and mood disturbances in patients with autism. Parents who would like to work with natural alternatives to Lithium Carbonate for autism can seek out Lithium Orotate as a natural, non-toxic alternative that is available over-the-counter for autism.
Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine for autism has been associated with new-onset epileptic seizures, but this drug has also been administered to treat autism seizures. Studies have also examined Carbamazepine as a mood stabilizer in autism patients.Carbamazepine has been prescribed by doctors to try to treat seizures, hyperactivity, irritability, impulsivity, mood disturbance, pressured speech, and intrusiveness. Carbamazepine is often combined with other psychotropic medications. Improvements are greater than those seen with Valproate treatment.
Sodium Valproate
When Valproate is administered during pregnancy, women have a much higher risk of giving birth to a child with autism. Indeed, the connection between Valproate and autism is strong enough that Valproate is used to reliably induce autism in rats for scientific autism studies. The herb, Acorus calamus is able to prevent autism in some cases of exposure to Valproate or organophosphates. Click here to read more about Acorus calamus as an herbal remedy for autism.Sodium Valproate has been prescribed by doctors to treat aggression along with mood issues. This drug is not recommended for females because of its association with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and birth defects. This drug is famous for its adverse effects incouding skin reactions, poor attention, nausea, liver toxicity, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Olanzapine
For autism, Olanzapine has been studied as a drug that could potentially improve behavioral dysregulation, but like Risperidone and Haloperidol, weight gain and sedation are prominent side effects. Olanzapine has been moderately effective in treatment ASD in adults, but with adverse effects like sedation, weight gain, and an increase in appetite.Olanzapine studies on children are limited and it can take up to a year for parents and caregivers to see a noticeable response rate. When children received Olanzapine long-term, about 75% of kids showed a reduction in irritability, stereotypies, lethargy, social withdrawal, lack of affect, sensory integration issues, self-injurious behavior, anger, depression, hyperactivity, and excessive and inappropriate speech.
Olanzapine does not treat repetitive behaviors, however, in children with Asperger’s disorder between 10-15 years of age, this drug was successful in 90% of cases at reducing internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
It should be noted that, subjects who were given Olanzapine in these case studies also followed a concurrent autism diet and behavioral interventions.
Adverse effects associated with Olanzapine include increased appetite, weight gain and an increased risk of metabolic disorders as a result, and a loss of strength.
Lurasidone
Lurasidone for autism has been studied in comparison with a placebo. It was not effective as a treatment for behavioral dysregulation. This is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is prescribed off-label by doctors for autism as a treatment for irritability even though studies on Lurasidone for autism have only observed patient responses for up to 6 weeks. Effectiveness and tolerability of Lurasidone for autism is questionable at best.Quetiapine
Quetiapine has minimal effectiveness in the treatment of ASDs. Adverse effects like sedation, an increased risk of seizures, involuntary muscle contractions, behavioral activation, and weight gain make this an unlikely choice for autism treatment though doctors still prescribe it sometimes. There are no published controlled trials on the use of Quetiapine for autism.One retrospective review of only 20 subjects between 5 to 28 years of age showed that Quetiapine had a 40% response rate while another review of 10 subjects between 5 to 19 years of age showed a 60% response rate. In these studies, hyperactivity, lack of attention, and behavioral problems were treated.
Very few autism patients have been studied to determine how this drug affects patients in the short-term or long-term.
Ziprasidone
Ziprasidone for autism has moderate effectiveness though there have been no published controlled trials on its use. There have been very few studies on Ziprasidone. Nonetheless, doctors prescribe this drug to try to treat agitation, impulsivity, mood problems, cognitive performance, and language issues. Some doctors have combined Ziprasidone with Methylphenidate.Ziprasidone can causes weight loss in treated patients. Sedation is another common adverse effect of Ziprasidone for autism according to limited data on this drug.
Clozapine
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that can cause an increased risk of immune system problems like agranulocytosis as well as increasing the risk of seizures in patients with ASD. Clozapine is well-tolerated by children and it has been used to treat severe aggression and irritability but studies are lacking that establish its safety and effectiveness.Weight gain and constipation, fast heart rate, and the development of metabolic syndromes are common adverse effects associated with the use of Clozapine for autism.
Amisulpride
Amisulpride at low doses has been shown to reduce repetitive, ritualized behaviors in children with autism. Amisulpride is a benzamide that is used as an antiemetic and antipsychotic drug. Amisulpride can cause movement disorders. This drug elevates prolactin levels which can also cause menstruation to stop along with breast enlargement (even in males) and breast milk secretion that is not related to breastfeeding.Resources:
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