There are many academic research articles reporting that a drug can treat or even cure autism. Through various arguments, it is proved that the drugs studied can treat or even cure autism.
In the end, these papers were overturned one by one, especially the statement that autism can be cured by drugs is nonsense.
In this issue, we will take stock of the situation that autistic children need drug treatment and how to choose drugs suitable for different autistic children.
First of all, it needs to be clear that autism, as a neurodevelopmental disorder, has not been fully clarified because of its etiology and biochemical changes, that is, there is no 100% unified understanding of the etiology of autism except genetic theory. So far, there is no specific medicine to cure autism, and it cannot be completely cured by acupuncture and massage, especially for the core language and communication barriers. Long-term and arduous special education and training is the main treatment at present. (For specific methods, click to read "Counting the most commonly used education and training methods for autism! Which is the best? 》)
However, according to the strict randomized controlled treatment research, some psychotropic drugs can play a very good auxiliary treatment role for some abnormal behaviors of some autistic children. For example, in the process of special education and training for autistic children or in daily life learning, some uncontrollable problem behaviors often seriously affect the training effect and daily life learning of autistic children. At this time, reasonable drug treatment can be considered as adjuvant treatment.
At present, it has been proved that some new psychotropic drugs can be applied to children with autism. Rational use of these drugs can significantly improve the training and education effects of autistic children and promote their normal life and study. However, it is usually not recommended to use drugs alone, and it is suggested to use drugs reasonably according to needs on the basis of intervention training.
It needs to be pointed out in particular that the drug treatment of autistic children must be used under the prescription and supervision of a specialist, and any self-medication or dose adjustment is not appropriate.
Hyperactivity behavior:
1, Ritalin (methylphenidate) has been used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder for decades, and the curative effect is definite. The medicine is also effective for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other symptoms, which is conducive to school-age children's concentration in class, ensuring the completion of academic tasks and improving academic performance; Its sustained-release and long-acting preparation (trade name Zhunzhida) can maintain a stable blood concentration during the day, so that the curative effect covers the afternoon and evening, which is more convenient to use and has better effect;
The adverse reactions of methylphenidate include: aggravating rigid behavior, self-injury behavior, withdrawal behavior and causing excessive stimulation.
2. Tomoxetine (trade name Cesida) is a new drug for treating ADHD in children in recent years. The application research in children with autism shows that the drug has fewer adverse reactions and can be used for children's TIC and emotional disorders.
3. Clonidine can also be used to treat ADHD, including oral administration and patch. Patch is better for children who refuse to take medicine, and the main adverse reactions are drowsiness and hypotension.
4. Risperidone is the most deeply researched drug to treat children's autism. Because of its good curative effect and drug tolerance, it became the first autism drug approved by FDA in the United States. It can not only treat hyperactivity, but also effectively improve the symptoms of children with autism, such as emotional instability, excitement, irritability, self-injury, aggression, rigid behavior and sleep disorder.
Controlling these symptoms can improve children's cooperation in intervention training and reduce hyperactivity, which is conducive to the development of systematic training. Taking this medicine for a long time has a long-lasting effect and good tolerance for children. The main adverse reactions are fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, breast enlargement and enuresis. Attention should be paid to regular follow-up and monitoring of adverse reactions.
Aggressive behavior:
1, haloperidol, widely used in the past, can be used to treat aggressive behavior of autistic children, and can also be used to reduce stereotyped behavior, hyperactivity and self-injury. In some children, it can also increase pronunciation and socialization, which has the effect of calming children, but it has no calming effect; The common short-term adverse reactions of the drug are sedation and acute dystonia, and dyskinesia is also common, especially when stopping the drug. The greater the dose, the greater the risk of dyskinesia.
The drug causes many extrapyramidal symptoms, and the combination of trihexyphenidyl (Antan) and benzotropine can alleviate this adverse reaction. Therefore, haloperidol has been reduced in use and is only suitable for short-term use.
2. Risperidone has obvious effect on reducing aggressive behavior, and its adverse reaction is obviously less than that of haloperidol, so it can be used for a long time.
3. Others: carbamazepine, sodium valproate, buspirone and lithium.
Self-injury behavior:
Naltrexone can be used to treat children's self-injury and aggressive behavior, with good curative effect and moderate improvement on hyperactivity and rigid behavior.
Drugs for aggressive behavior can treat self-injury behavior.
Stereotyped behavior: fluoxetine (Prozac) can treat repetitive stereotyped behavior of autism. Risperidone can also reduce stereotypical behavior.
Depression:
Emotional disorders such AS depression are more common among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially Asperger's syndrome (AS). Fluoxetine can be the first choice, so can imipramine, nortriptyline and norimipramine. If you have mania, you can use lithium.
Spasm:
Carbamazepine and sodium valproate are commonly used. Phenobarbital and phenytoin sodium should be avoided because they can cause ADHD and irritation.
Sleep disorders:
You can use melatonin first (commonly known as melatonin). Others include imipramine, chloral hydrate and clonidine.
Finally, it is reiterated that drug therapy is not the main method to treat autism and cannot cure autism; If the child has clear indications, it should be used under the guidance of a doctor; For some children with obvious symptoms, which seriously affect teaching, training and daily life, using drugs can control their nuisance behavior, which is conducive to the development of training and learning.