Pharmacological approaches in the treatment of autism: a narrative review

Main Article Content

Gabriela Muro Medeiros
Mariana Marques Sepulveda
João Kleber de Gentile
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8650-2703
Alfésio Luís Ferreira Braga

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction and by the presence of repetitive and restricted behaviors. To review the literature on drug interventions in the treatment of ASD in children and adolescents. Narrative review conducted at a university in São Paulo, Brazil. Search of the literature of studies published from 2005 to 2022, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in the SciELO, PubMed, SCOPUS, LILACS and TripDatabase databases. Risperidone alone improved stereotyped patterns of behavior. Associations with aripiprazole or galantamine reduced irritability and managing the behavioral symptoms, respectively. Ginkgo biloba, associated to risperidone, led to an improvement in the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) subscales scores. The association with sulforaphane exhibited a greater improvement in irritability and hyperactivity/noncompliance scores. Omega-3s reduced gesture use and hyperactivity. Bumetanide reduced restricted interests and repetitive behavior compared to placebo. Intranasal oxytocin improved social skills. The AB-2004 showed improvement in behavioral endpoints, especially anxiety and irritability. Folinic acid improved verbal communication in non-syndromic ASD children. Prednisolone increased language scores. There is not a drug that treats all of them and the possibility of significant adverse effects must be adjusted according to the symptoms and clinical response.

Article Details

How to Cite
Medeiros, G. M., Sepulveda, M. M., Gentile, J. K. de, & Braga, A. L. F. (2022). Pharmacological approaches in the treatment of autism: a narrative review . Brazilian Journal of Case Reports, 2(4), 3–32. https://doi.org/10.52600/2763-583X.bjcr.2022.2.4.3-32
Section
Health Review
Author Biographies

Gabriela Muro Medeiros, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID)

Aluna da Graduação em Ciências Médicas da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID). São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Mariana Marques Sepulveda, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID)

Aluna da Graduação em Ciências Médicas da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID). São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

João Kleber de Gentile, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID)

Professor da Disciplina de Técnica Operatória e Habilidades Cirúrgicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID). Médico Cirurgião do Aparelho Digestivo Membro Titular Especialista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgia Digestiva (TCBCD). São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Alfésio Luís Ferreira Braga, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID)

Professor Doutor Discente em Ciências Médicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (FM-UNICID). São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

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