Medications



This is a list of medications that have been known to be used by people with autism and have been prescribed to people with autism. Please note that this article is not in any way recommending any of these medications to anyone. You must consult with a trained medical doctor or psychiatrist to decide what the best medication is for you, your child or the adult you are caring for. The general rule however is that no medication can treat autism itself. It is only effective - on a case by case basis - for issues arising from reactions to autism (such as depression and anxiety) and for issues with co-morbid conditions separate to autism (such as epilepsy). This is reflected in the fact that autism is only mentioned in one drug on this list, Risperdal.

It is ill advised and illegal to use non prescribed drugs to try and treat autism, such as heroin, ice, ecstasy and so on, due to the high risk of sensory overload.

Celexa
Celexa is a brand name for Citalopram, approved to treat major depression in the United States in 1998. In other countries such as Australia, the UK, Germany, Portugal, Poland, and most European countries it is prescribed as a general anti-depressant and to treat panic disorders. Spain prescribes it also for OCD.

Lexapro
Lexapro is a brand name for Escitalopram, an anti depressant that is approved for children as young as 12 years of age to treat major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. It is seen as a poor brother by some to Citalopram and is also known as Cipralex.

Paxil
Paxil is a brand name for Paroxetine, another anti depressant that is approved to treat numerous anxiety based disorders as well as the symptoms associated with menopause. It is also known as Seroxat.

Prozac
Prozac is a well known brand name of Fluoxetine, an anti depressant that has been used to treat OCD, Bulimia and other disorders. It has a mixed history due to it's side effects and has attracted some controversy in the process. There is also a version called Fluoxetine hydrochloride.

Zoloft
Zoloft is a brand name for Sertraline, approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults as well as OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder in both adults and children. Other brand names include Apo-Sertral, Asentra, Concorz, Gladem, Lustral, Serlain, Serlift, Sertralin, Stimuloton, Xydep and Zolosoft.

Clozaril
Clozaril is a brand name for Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic that is seen as a last resort for treating schizophrenia when all other antipsychotic medications have failed. It is a drug with many side effects that need to be monitored heavily, and has been in existence in medicine since the 1970's. Other brand names include Fazaclo, Gen-Clozapineis and Leponex.

Risperdal
Risperdal is a brand name for Risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic that is know to be used for perceived irritability in autistic children, but not recommended for adults or adolescents. It is also used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Seroquel
Seroquel is a brand name for Quetiapine, another atypical antipsychotic prescribed for use for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used as an anti depressant for major depressive disorder. The use of this drug as a sleep aid is apparently not recommended.

Zyprexa
Zyprexa is a brand name for Olanzapine, another atypical antipsychotic that is prescribed for schizophrenia as well as bipolar disorder. This is more first line compared to Clozapine. A report recommends against use of this drug for treatment of dementia. There is apparently a version called Zyprexa Zydis as well.

Depakote
Depakote is a brand name for Valproate, also known as Valproate semisodium. It's approved for treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder and has also been known to treat migraine headaches. It has apparently also had some success in treating the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Other brand names include Divalproex sodium, Epival and Valcote.

Keppra
Keppra is a brand name for Levetiracetam, another treatment for epilepsy. It has also been prescribed for Tourette's Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease but the side effects in behaviors make it's efficacy apparently questionable. It has been studied for treatment of autism and rejected.

Lamictal
Lamictal is a brand name for Lamotrigine, which is yet another treatment for epilepsy as well as bipolar disorder. It has also been approved as a mood stabliser to replace Lithium, and has had some success in treating ADHD.

Neurontin
Neurontin is a brand name for Gabapentin, also used for the treatment of epilepsy as well as neuropathic pain, hot flashes and restless leg syndrome. There are reports that suicidal thoughts are linked to this medication.

Tegretol
Tegretol is a brand name for Carbamazepine, yet another treatment for epilepsy as well as other neuropathic pain. It has been used also for schizophrenia and as a back up treatment for bipolar disorder.

Ritalin
Ritalin is a brand name for Methylphenidate, a well known treatment for ADHD but can be addictive.

Xanax
Xanax is a brand name for Alprazolam, approved for treatment of panic and anxiety disorders for adults only. It is not prescribed to children as it is too strong. It is said that wrestler Chris Benoit used Xanax to sedate his son Daniel before killing him.