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| Physicians' Frequently Asked Questions About Autism |
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Q.
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What medications are typically used to treat autism?
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A.
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While there are no drugs, vitamins, or special diets that can correct the underlying neurological problems that appear to cause autism, a number of parents and physicians have found that some drugs used for other disorders can be effective in treating aspects of or behaviors associated with autism (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior, and severe tantrums). Many of these medications have not been officially approved by the FDA for use in children, and further research needs to be done to ensure the efficacy and the safety of experimental drugs used in the treatment of children and adolescents.
Some of these medications include: Risperdal (an anti-psychotic recently approved by the FDA to treat symptoms of autism); Secretin; Serotonin and anti-depressants; and Divalproex Sodium (a mood stabilizer, currently FDA approved for the treatment of epilepsy or manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder).
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