Treating functional impairment of autism with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors.
OBJECTIVE
To review literature describing use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the management of functional impairments associated with autistic disorder.


METHODS
EMBASE (1980-3rd quarter of 2003), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-August 2003), and MEDLINE (1966-August 2003) were searched. Search terms included autism, autistic disorder, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, and sertraline.


RESULTS
Studies and case reports evaluating treatment outcomes associated with the use of SSRIs in managing impairments of autism were reviewed. Multiple SSRI dosing ranges were evaluated in autistic patients of different ages with various functional impairments. No specific SSRI or dose range has been shown to improve a specific autistic symptom although some patients have demonstrated improvements.


CONCLUSIONS
Benefits with SSRIs in treating functional impairments in autism have been observed. Response to therapy and adverse effects are individualized. Current evidence does not support selection of one SSRI over another for any impairment associated with autism.
Drug Information Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163-0001, USA. mmoore31@utmem.edu
Malia L
ML
Moore
Samantha F
SF
Eichner
Jennifer R
JR
Jones
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015283:Citalopram; D005473:Fluoxetine; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline