Psychoactive Medications and ASD

Considering Pharmacologic Intervention Why would we consider using psychopharmacologic agents to treat problems in a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? – Treatment of core symptoms – Maladaptive behaviors sometimes seen in ASD – Treatment of coexisting psychiatric problems

Do No Harm The Basic Rule of thumb when considering any treatment including medications for individuals with ASD is “first do no harm.” When medications have multiple potential side effects and relatively little evidence for use in the scientific literature, I have to be sure that not prescribing medication would be more harmful than prescribing medication. The same is true for any other intervention.

Core Symptoms of ASD Problems with Social Relatedness Problems with Language Problems with fixations, repetitive behaviors and rigidity.

Coexisting Psychiatric Problems ADHD OCD Tics/Tourette’s Disorder Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders – Depressive Disorders – Bipolar Disorder Psychosis

Maladaptive Symptoms/Behaviors sometimes seen in ASD There are behaviors that do not easily fit a particular psychiatric diagnosis that occur in ASD. – Aggression – Severe tantrums and agitation – Self Injurious Behaviors – Sleep Disturbance – Rigidity – Perseveration

Pharmacologic Studies

Reference for the Above slides

Stimulants Methylphenidate –studies listed above – Ritalin – Metadate – Concerta – Daytrana – Focalin (DextroMethylphenidate) Amphetamine – no know studies – Adderall – Dexedrine (DextroAmphetamine) – Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)

Alpha Adrenergic Medications Tenex (Guanfacine) – Posey, D.J. et al., 2004 retrospective study of 80 cases Catapress (Clonidine) – Frankhauser, MP et al., boys placebo double blind Other antihypertensive are also sometimes used mostly from the Beta Blocker class – Propranolol/Inderal – Ratey, John et al., 1987 open label 8 children – Pindolol

Noradrenergic Reuptake Inhibitors Strattera/Atomoxetine – Arnold, LE et, al., children Effexor/Venflaxamine (SSRI and NRI) – Hollander, E et al., 2000 retrospective study of adults with ASD Cymbalta/Duloxetine (SSRI and NRI) – no research that I know of

Antidepressants Serotonin Medications Prozac – see above Zoloft – none known Luvox –see above Celexa – on going studies Lexapro – study completed not published Paxil – no known study Wellbutrin – no known studies Trazadone – no known studies Tricyclic Antidepressants – Clomipramine – see studies above – Disimpramine – see studies above – Imipramine – Campbell, et al., children single blind – Nortriptyline – no known studies – Amitrityline – no known studies Remeron – no know studies

Antipsychotics/ Neuroleptics Risperdal -FDA approved for use in people with ASD studies above Abilify –FDA approved for use in people with ASD Zyprexa – Kemner, C et al., children open label with some improvement Seroquel – Hardan, A. Y. et al., 2005 retrospective study in children with PDD Geodon –Malone, R et al., 2007 open label 12 adolescents Mellaril – I know there are early studies but generally not used given side effects Clozaril – a few studies none particularly conclusive

AntiConvulsants Depakote – Hollander, E et al., double blind study Lamictal – Belsito, K.M. et al., children placebo double blind Tegretol- no known studies Trileptal – studies on going Topamax – Canitano, R 2005 open label for weight gain from nueroleptics

Anticholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA antagonists Aricept (donepezil)- Chez, M et al., children double blind placebo Namenda (memantine) – Owley, T et al., children open label study Symmetrel (amantadine) – King, BH et al., children double blind clinicians saw improvement but parents did not Razadyne (galantamine) – R. Nicholson, MD et al., children open label trial

Other Pharmacologic Interventions for ASD Core Symptoms with some Promising Evidence Oxytocin – Hollander et al., adults with autism Vancomycin- Sandler et al., children open study blinded video evaluation 8 children improved Minocycline- being studied National Institute of Health Clinical Centers funded by the NIMH D-Cyclosporine –Posey et al., week single blind placebo treatment with 10 subjects NMDA agonist Vitamin C- Dolske et al., 1993 decreasing stereotyped behaviors in a 30 week double blind study with 18 children Cyanocobalamine (B-12) - James et al., 2004 Cypropheptadine- S. Akhondzadeh, PhD et al., 2004 Rapamycin

Continued Arbaclofen – a GABA agonist N-Acetylcysteine – antioxidant/decreased glutamate nuerotransmission Propranolol – help with fluency in language

Conclusion The take home message is that medications can be helpful with the impairing symptoms of PDD, but medications are not specific and there can be significant side effects associated with their use.