Concomitant medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials.
Logan Shurtz, Chloe Schwartz, Charlotte DiStefano and 16 others
PMID 36086805WHAT IT FOUND
Almost half of school-age children with autism in this research cohort took psychotropic medication.
Polypharmacy was common, affecting half of those medicated. Irritability scores were significantly higher in the medicated group, suggesting these symptoms remain challenging despite treatment.
Key findings
0147.6% of participants reported psychotropic medication use, with 50.4% of those on medications taking multiple drugs (polypharmacy).
02Children taking psychotropic medications had significantly higher irritability scores compared to those not taking them.
03Melatonin, stimulants, SSRIs, alpha agonists, and antipsychotics were the most commonly reported medication classes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was drawn from a research cohort, which may not represent the broader autistic population. Participants were predominantly white and from high-income families. Medication use was based on parent report, without verification of prescriptions or dosage. The study did not record the specific reasons for prescribing medications or the severity of symptoms before treatment began. The design is cross-sectional, so it cannot determine whether medications cause changes in behavior or if children with more severe symptoms are simply prescribed more medications. Polypharmacy was common, making it difficult to isolate the effects of any single medication class.
Declared interests
Several authors declared conflicts of interest, including consulting for pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Janssen, Roche, Akili Interactive) and receiving research funding from industry sponsors. The study was primarily funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that medication use causes the higher irritability scores observed. The study design cannot prove causation; it is equally likely that children with more severe irritability were prescribed more medications.