Is Abilify® Safe for Children with Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurobiological condition that cannot be cured. Although medications do not fully alleviate the symptoms, it is common for physicians to prescribe a variety of medications to help improve a child with Autism’s outlook and circumstances.
Anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and drugs for hyperactivity are all commonly used to lessen the effects of social anxiety, depression, fear, sensory issues, and additional emotional distresses that can cause problems for children with ASD.
With trial and error, the correct medication course and dosage can make all the difference in the life of a child with Autism or ASD. Medication, while not appropriate for all children with Autism, can change the course for some children, allowing for a life of independence.
Researchers are working to find medications that can be used to treat the symptoms of ASD in children. Some medications can serve dual purposes, like an anti-seizure medication that also happens to be a mood stabilizer. Finding safe medication choices for citizens is a job that the US Food and Drug Administration takes very seriously.
Researchers, physicians, parents, and patients can feel relatively certain that when a drug is approved by the FDA for pediatric use, it is safe to use in that capacity. Recently, the FDA approved the drug Abilify® to treat irritability in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can read the official announcement from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and the FDA here: http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=172339
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Comments
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My 16yr son, has been taking abilify for 1-1/2. We went from 5mg to 2.5mg now back on 5mg (about 3-days). He has gain weight but also being in the house not doing much activities has contributed to weigh gain. He also went through the growth spurt. I would say a combination of all did make him gain weight. that is great that abilify/focalin combo is working for your son. It made my son angry and moody. As of now, he is taking abilify and clonodine. He psych will not give him any ADHD. He is forgetful but who is to know it's just being a typical teenager.
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My sons both gained weight on abilify (20 pounds in 12 weeks-- each). 6.8% of kids gain weight on abilify which is a small percentage which is why our psych did not feel it was necessary to bring it up beforehand. Yargh! Also in some people it can change your metabolism to a pre-diabetic state which is what it was doing in our kids: without any change in caloric intake, hunger or physical activity, their bodies began to gain weight.
Some studies have shown that if you take METFORMIN (aka Glucophage, a very safe blood sugar drug diabetics have been taking for decades) at the same time as the Abilify, it will negate any weight gain. Our pediatrician would not let us try this. I am not sure why.
My son takes Focalin (as do I) and yes, it REALLY takes away your appetite. Which is good for me! My son has always been in the 97+ percentile on weight so it's never been an issue for him to not have appetite 8 hrs / day, he makes up for it at night. He is in a normal weight for his height right now, not really heavy like before. Thank you growth spurt! He only gets 1500 calories per day. that helps
Geneva
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After a very troublesome year transitioning into middle school we have just started Abilify with our 12 year old that has autism, ADHD, sensory and anxiety issues, and is cognitively impaired. We kept all other meds (stimulants, Trileptol, Zoloft) the same but added Abilify to mornings only. He had the first good day in weeks. Its so encouraging to us but I know its just one day. any thoughts?
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My daughter has experienced a ton of stomach aches, sometimes they also include a headache, and often she says she will vomit, although she rarely does. It seems to be when we try to get her to do a non-preffered activity, (bedtime, cleaning, going somewhere.) It also happens at school during times when other children are misbehaving, or every Monday morning. I am sure it is stress related and started giving her calmes forte by hylands. That has seemed to help, we also do daily probiotics. I have wondered about food intolerance but it seems too closely related to life situations for that, and it was never a real big deal until this year (7 and 8yrs old.)
My son is 9 and started yesterday.
Thanks
My daughter started today. She is 8. Maybe we could chat as we are both starting at the same time? I am very nervous about the side effects. Today she is very hungry, stomach pains and tired. I imagine she feels "different" due to the meds and this is how she explains it?
If not I'll reply directly on here .
Thanks and would be great to communicate.
Del.