Autism Therapy: pharmacotherapy

definition of pharmacotherapy: Therapy that involves treatment with medications or drugs. People with autism often receive some form of pharmacotherapy to help improve brain functions and behaviors.

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Autism: An Emerging ‘Neuroimmune Disorder’ in Search of Therapy
Expert Opinions in Pharmacotherapy, by Theoharides, TC, Kempuraj D., and Redwood L., published in 2009, summarized Dec 4, 2009

Scientists are learning that the immune system may contribute to autism symptoms, and may be a good target for autism therapies.

The immune system is the system in the body that fights infections. Scientific evidence is building that tells us that the immune system might contribute to some autism symptoms. Studies show that people with autism have signs of inflammation (turned-up immune system), including inflammation in the brain. Some people with autism had antibodies (immune-active proteins) against brain proteins. If the immune system is important, new drug therapies to help balance the immune system might be helpful.


Should Tactile Sensation Impairment be Considered in Pharmacotherapy of Pervasive Developmental Disorder? A Case Report
Neuroendocrinology Letters, by Ghanizadeh, A., published in 2008, summarized Mar 11, 2009

Sertraline may help in the treatment of tactile defensiveness in people with autism.

People with autism often have trouble processing sensory input. Sertraline is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant that is also known to help with pain and itching. This case report describes a woman with Aspergerâ??s syndrome who was given sertraline drug therapy and could better accept the feel of rough textures. Right after starting sertraline therapy, the woman was better able to wear scratchy clothes. The author suggests that further research be done to see if sertraline is a good option for the treatment of people with this sensory pattern.


Autism Spectrum Disorders: Etiology and Pharmacotherapy
Current Drug Therapy, by Mohammedi, M. - R., and Akhondzadeh S., published in 2007, summarized Dec 19, 2008

This paper reviews the different drug therapies for autism.

For example, antipsychotics have been used as an autism treatment to decrease aggression and help with impulse control. Lithium has been shown to help with mood in adults with autism and manic problems. Propranolol (a beta blocker drug) has been shown to help severe aggression. Clonidine may help with hyperactivity and irritability in patients with autism. The authors conclude by stating that drug therapy should only be used to help with behavior and treat certain symptoms that are common in people with autism.


Autistic Disorders: Is the Use of Pharmacotherapy Necessary in Every Case?
Int J Disabil Hum Dev, by Anywanwu, EC, published in 2008, summarized Jul 18, 2008

Behavior therapy such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) may be a better choice than drug therapy for children with autism.

In this paper the author reviewed the use of drug therapy to treat autism and compared the use of medications to the use of other autism therapies. Doctors provide many different types of medications to people with autism: antidepressants, stimulants, antipsychotics, alpha agonists, and anticonvulsants. The author states that 50% of adults and children in with autism in the U.S. are prescribed one or more of these types of medications. Drug therapy may relieve some of the symptoms that come with autism, but often the drug therapies bring with them side effects. The author concludes that drug therapy may not be the best therapy choice for people with autism.


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