The pooled mean change scores in aripiprazole-treated group for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC)-Irritability , ABC-Hyperactivity/noncompliance , ABC-Inappropriate speech and ABC-Stereotypic behavior were significantly greater than those of the placebo-treated group .
Unfortunately , the significant difference between two groups was not found for ABC-Lethargy/social withdrawal .
The pooled overall discontinuation rate in aripiprazole-treated group was significantly better than that of placebo-treated group .
Conclusion Aripiprazole has efficacy in the treatment of behavioral disturbances , including irritability , hyperactivity/noncompliance , inappropriate speech and stereotypic behavior found in ASD children and adolescents ; however , it could not improve the lethargy/social withdrawal in such patients .
The present evidence also indicates that it is safe , acceptable and tolerable in such treatment .
Background Recent r and omized controlled trials indicated that aripiprazole was the effective treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) .
Objective This study systematic ally review ed the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of aripiprazole in treatment of ASD children and adolescents .
Risperidone in children with autism and serious behavioral problems.
BACKGROUND Atypical antipsychotic agents , which block postsynaptic dopamine and serotonin receptors , have advantages over traditional antipsychotic medications in the treatment of adults with schizophrenia and may be beneficial in children with autistic disorder who have serious behavioral disturbances . However , data on the safety and efficacy of atypical antipsychotic agents in children are limited . METHODS We conducted a multisite , r and omized , double-blind trial of risperidone as compared with placebo for the treatment of autistic disorder accompanied by severe tantrums , aggression , or self-injurious behavior in children 5 to 17 years old . The primary outcome measures were the score on the Irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and the rating on the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement ( CGI-I ) scale at eight weeks . RESULTS A total of 101 children ( 82 boys and 19 girls ; mean [ + /-SD ] age , 8.8+/-2.7 years ) were r and omly assigned to receive risperidone ( 49 children ) or placebo ( 52 ) . Treatment with risperidone for eight weeks ( dose range , 0.5 to 3.5 mg per day ) result ed in a 56.9 percent reduction in the Irritability score , as compared with a 14.1 percent decrease in the placebo group ( P<0.001 ) . The rate of a positive response , defined as at least a 25 percent decrease in the Irritability score and a rating of much improved or very much improved on the CGI-I scale , was 69 percent in the risperidone group ( 34 of 49 children had a positive response ) and 12 percent in the placebo group ( 6 of 52 , P<0.001 ) . Risperidone therapy was associated with an average weight gain of 2.7+/-2.9 kg , as compared with 0.8+/-2.2 kg with placebo ( P<0.001 ) . Increased appetite , fatigue , drowsiness , dizziness , and drooling were more common in the risperidone group than in the placebo group ( P<0.05 for each comparison ) . In two thirds of the children with a positive response to risperidone at eight weeks ( 23 of 34 ) , the benefit was maintained at six months . CONCLUSIONS Risperidone was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of tantrums , aggression , or self-injurious behavior in children with autistic disorder . The short period of this trial limits inferences about adverse effects such as tardive dyskinesia
The pooled mean change scores in aripiprazole-treated group for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC)-Irritability , ABC-Hyperactivity/noncompliance , ABC-Inappropriate speech and ABC-Stereotypic behavior were significantly greater than those of the placebo-treated group .
Unfortunately , the significant difference between two groups was not found for ABC-Lethargy/social withdrawal .
The pooled overall discontinuation rate in aripiprazole-treated group was significantly better than that of placebo-treated group .
Conclusion Aripiprazole has efficacy in the treatment of behavioral disturbances , including irritability , hyperactivity/noncompliance , inappropriate speech and stereotypic behavior found in ASD children and adolescents ; however , it could not improve the lethargy/social withdrawal in such patients .
The present evidence also indicates that it is safe , acceptable and tolerable in such treatment .
Background Recent r and omized controlled trials indicated that aripiprazole was the effective treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) .
Objective This study systematic ally review ed the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of aripiprazole in treatment of ASD children and adolescents .