Peer-reviewed article
Antipsychotics for irritability in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Muñoz Martinez V, Beato-Fernández L, Segura-Escobar E ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study compared aripiprazole with other antipsychotic medications in treating irritability, aggression, tantrums and self-injury in 90 children with autism spectrum disorder. Children receiving aripiprazole had lower relapse rates (26.6%) over two years compared to those on other antipsychotics (44.4%), and fewer discontinued treatment. The medication appeared generally safe and well tolerated, though the study did not use standardized measurement scales to evaluate behavioral changes.
Key points
- At least 20% of children with autism present irritability symptoms causing severe social and family disturbances
- Aripiprazole group had 26.6% relapse rate compared to 44.4% in the comparison antipsychotic group over two years
- Fewer children on aripiprazole abandoned treatment (11.1%) versus other antipsychotics (26.6%)
- Prolactin levels were elevated with aripiprazole (28.2 ng/ml males, 14.1 ng/ml females)
- The medication was found to be effective and generally well tolerated
Limitations
The study did not use standardized behavioral rating scales to measure changes in symptoms, making it difficult to quantify the magnitude of improvement. The document provides no information about the specific comparison antipsychotics used or detailed adverse effects beyond prolactin levels.
Abstract
Introduction Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviors [1]. Despite of these symptoms, some patients present different manifestations of irritability. These can be expressed in different kinds of disruptive behaviors. Recent studies shown that, at least 20% of children with autism present irritability symptoms, which cause severe social and familiar disturbances [2]. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term efficacy of aripiprazole in children in comparison with other antipsychotic. We include behaviors related to irritability as all kinds of aggressions, tantrums and self-injuries. Methods 90 patients were recruited. 45 of the patients received aripiprazole and 45 received other antipsychotic. The initial doses of aripiprazole was 2,5 mg/day. Doses were increase related to symptoms. The range of the doses were from 2,5 to 15 mg/day. Results From these 45 patients 12 had a relapse (26,6%) during the next two years. From the second group, 20 (44.4%) of the patients had a relapse during the next two years. Five of the aripiprazole group (11,1%) abandon treatment. From the second group twelve patients (26.6%) also abandon treatment. Prolactin rates with aripiprazole were 28.2 ng/ml for males and 14.1 ng/ml for women. Conclusions In general, the result of our research indicated that Aripiprazole was effective and generally safe and well tolerated in the treatment of irritability associated with ASD. One of the limitations was that we do not use scales in order to measure the changes. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Treatment with aripiprazole compared to other antipsychotic medications
- Population
- 90 children with autism spectrum disorder (45 receiving aripiprazole, 45 receiving other antipsychotics); dose range 2.5-15 mg/day
Key finding
Aripiprazole group: 26.6% relapse rate over two years versus 44.4% in comparison group