Autism treatment: recognize 4 types of drugs that may be needed

Treatment for autism usually includes medication and therapy. While they can't cure the main symptoms that people with autism spectrum disorders experience, medications can help prevent problems related to a person's behavior. For example, a tendency to self-injure, irritability, or insomnia.

Now, there are many types of drugs that are commonly used in modern medicine for the treatment of autism. What are the types and side effects? Check out the full explanation below.

1.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) are drugs used to help children with depression (with symptoms of feeling worse for weeks or months), anxiety disorders, and obsessive behavior. These antidepressant drugs can include sertraline, citalopram, and fluoxetine.

However, these drugs have some side effects such as insomnia (serious sleep disorder), unwanted weight gain, and increased emotional turmoil.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the food and drug regulatory agency in the United States, has expressed concern over the link between suicide and the use of antidepressants. The FDA does not recommend that children stop taking antidepressants, but they recommend that children using these drugs should always be monitored. Any sign or tendency to commit suicide you should watch out for.

2. Tricyclics

These drugs are a type of antidepressant used for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Tricyclics appear to have more of a side effect, but are sometimes more effective than SSRIs. The side effects of tricyclics include constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, and drowsiness.

Examples of tricyclics include protriptyline (Vivactil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline, amoxapine, imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, and trimipramine (Surmontil).

3. Antipsychotic drugs

Antipsychotic drugs are used to reduce behavioral problems related to autism by changing the reactions of brain chemicals. These drugs are useful for aggressive and problematic behavior. For example, your child may try to commit suicide, injure himself, or scream for no apparent purpose.

Examples of antipsychotic drugs include haloperidol, risperidone, and thioridazine. Other drugs include clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv).

The side effects of antipsychotic medications include tremors, unwanted weight gain, and drowsiness. These medications are usually considered after behavioral management, for example through therapy, has failed to improve behavior problems in people with autism spectrum disorders.

4. Medication for sleep disorders

People with autism spectrum disorders can suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia. They may find it difficult to sleep well and get enough sleep. They often wake up several times throughout the night.

In addition, people with autism spectrum disorders who also experience sleep disorders will appear tired, not refreshed when they wake up, and irritable throughout the day. Well, drugs of the benzodiazepine type can help.

Medicines can be used to reduce behavioral problems related to autism. However, medications cannot help improve symptoms of autism. Medicines can have side effects so any warning signs should be reported to a doctor.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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