title: Antipsychotics in the treatment of autism.
abstract: Atypical antipsychotics have become indispensable in the treatment of a variety of symptoms in autism. They are frequently used to treat irritability and associated behaviors including aggression and self injury. They may also be efficacious for hyperactivity and stereotyped behavior. This review presents the rationale for the use of this drug class in autism and reviews the most important studies published on this topic to date. Significant adverse effects, including weight gain and the possibility of tardive dyskinesia, are reviewed. Future research directions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. dposey@iupui.edu
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Posey
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Stigler
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDougle
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000188:drug therapy; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents