Reviews of Interventions for Autism: Medication

This page provides a select list of scientific reviews of traditional western medicines for the treatment of autism.

Please see Autism Treatment Research for links to other reviews.

Please note that Research Autism is unable to supply this item unless we are listed as the publisher. However, if you are a UK resident you may be able to obtain it from your local public library, your college library, the National Autistic Society’s Information Centre (Open in new window) or direct from the publisher.

If you know of any other significant reviews we should include in this section please email info@researchautism.net with the details. Thank you.

Anagnostou E., Hansen R.L.(2011). Medical treatment overview: traditional and novel psycho-pharmacological and complementary and alternative medications. Current Opinions in Pediatrics. 23(6), pp. 621-627. Read Abstract (New Window)
Angley M.T. et al. (2007). Children and autism: Part 1 – recognition and pharmacological management. Australian Family Physician. 36(9), pp. 741-744. Read Abstract (New Window)
Bethea T.C., Sikich L.(2007). Early pharmacological treatment of autism: a rationale for developmental treatment. Biological Psychiatry. 61(4), pp. 521-537. Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full Item (New Window)
Bostic J.Q., King B.H.(2005). Autism spectrum disorders: emerging pharmacotherapy. Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs. 10(3), pp. 521-536. Read Abstract (New Window)
Bramble D.(2011). Psychopharmacology in children with intellectual disability. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 17, pp. 32-40. Read Abstract (New Window)
Brkanac Z., Raskind W.H., King B.H.(2008). Pharmacology and genetics of autism: implications for diagnosis and treatment. Personalized Medicine. 5(6), pp. 599-607. Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full Item (New Window)
Broadstock M., Doughty C., Eggleston M.(2007). Systematic review of the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 11(4), pp. 335-348. Read Abstract (New Window)
Campbell M.(1975). Pharmacotherapy in early infantile autism. Biological Psychiatry. 10(4), pp. 399-423. Read Abstract (New Window)
Campbell M., Geller B., Cohen I.L.(1977). Current status of drug research and treatment with autistic children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2(4), pp. 153-161. Read Abstract (New Window)
Campbell M., Cueva J.(1995). Psychopharmacology in child and adolescent psychiatry: a review of the past seven years: Part 1 Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 34(9), pp. 1124-1132. Read Abstract (New Window)
Chez M.G., Memon S., Hung . P.(2004). Neurologic treatment strategies in autism: an overview of medical intervention strategies. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology. 11(3), pp. 229-235. Read Abstract (New Window)
Coury D.(Epub ahead of print). Review: little evidence of clear benefit for most medical treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders. Evidence Based Mental Health. Read Abstract (New Window)
Coury D.(2010). Medical treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Current Opinion in Neurology. 23(2), pp. 131-136. Read Abstract (New Window)
Elvins R., Green J.(2010). Pharmacological management of core and comorbid symptoms in autism-spectrum disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 16(5), pp. 349-360. Read Abstract (New Window)
Findling R.L.(2005). Pharmacologic treatment of behavioral symptoms in autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 66(Suppl 10), pp. 26-31. Read Abstract (New Window)
Floyd E.F., McIntosh D.E.(Epub ahead of print). Current practice in psychopharmacology for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Psychology in the Schools. Read Abstract (New Window)
Gerlai R., Gerlai J.(2004). Autism: a target of pharmacotherapies? Drug Discov Today. 9(8), pp. 366-374. Read Abstract (New Window)
Gringras P.(2000). Practical paediatric psychopharmacological prescribing in autism: the potential and the pitfalls. Autism. 4(3), pp. 229-247. Read Abstract (New Window)
Hollander E., Phillips A., Yeh. C.(2003). Targeted treatments for symptom domains in child and adolescent autism. Lancet. 362(9385), pp. 732-734. Read Abstract (New Window)
Jorgensen O.(1979). Psychopharmacological treatment of psychotic children. A survey. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 59(2), pp. 229-238. Read Abstract (New Window)
Kaplan G., McCracken J.T.(2012). Psychopharmacology of autism spectrum disorders. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 59(1), pp. 175-187. Read Abstract (New Window)
King B.H.(2000). Pharmacological treatment of mood disturbances, aggression and self-injury in persons with pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 30(5), pp. 439-445. Read Abstract (New Window)
King B.H., Bostic J.Q.(2006). An update on pharmacologic treatments for autism spectrum disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 15(1), pp.161-175. Read Abstract (New Window)
Leskovec T.J., Rowles B.M., Findling R.L.(2008). Pharmacological treatment options for autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 16(2), pp. 97-112. Read Abstract (New Window)
Luiselli J.K. et al. (2000). Pharmacotherapy for severe aggression in a child with autism: “open label” evaluation of multiple medications on response frequency and intensity of behavioral intervention. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 31(3-4), pp. 219-230. Read Abstract (New Window)
Malone R.P. et al. (2005). Advances in drug treatments for children and adolescents with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. CNS Drugs. 19(11), pp. 923-934. Read Abstract (New Window)
Mandell D.S. et al. (2008). Psychotropic medication use among medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 121(3), e441-e448. Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full Item (New Window)
Masi G.(2004). Pharmacotherapy of pervasive developmental disorders in children and adolescents. CNS Drugs. 18(14), pp. 1031-1052. Read Abstract (New Window)
Matson J.L., Dempsey T.(2008). Autism spectrum disorders: Pharmacotherapy for challenging behaviors. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 20(2), pp. 175-191. Read Abstract (New Window)
Matson J., Dempsey T.(2008). Autism spectrum disorders: pharmacotherapy for core symptoms and challenging behaviors. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 20(2), pp. 175-191. Read Abstract (New Window)
McCracken J.T.(2005). Safety issues with drug therapies for autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 66(Supplement 10), pp. 32-37. Read Abstract (New Window)
McPheeters M.L. et al. (2011). A systematic review of medical treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 127(5), e1312-e1321. Read Abstract (New Window)
Myers S.M.(2007). The status of pharmacotherapy for autism spectrum disorders. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 8(11), pp. 1579-1603. Read Abstract (New Window)
Nazeer A.(2011). Psychopharmacology of autistic spectrum disorders in children and adolescents. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 58(1), pp. 85-97. Read Abstract (New Window)
Oswald D.P., Sonenklar N.A.(2007). Medication use among children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 17(3), pp. 348-355. Read Abstract (New Window)
Palermo M., Curatolo P.(2004). Pharmacologic treatment of autism. Journal of Child Neurology. 19(3), pp. 155-164. Read Abstract (New Window)
Parikh M., Kolevzon A., Hollander E.(2008). Psychopharmacology of aggression in children and adolescents with autism: a critical review of efficacy and tolerability Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 18(2), pp. 157-178. Read Abstract (New Window)
Posey D.J., McDougle C.J.(2000). The pharmacotherapy of target symptoms associated with autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 8(2), pp. 45-63. Read Abstract (New Window)
Posey D.J., McDougle C.J.(2001). Pharmacotherapeutic management of autism. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2(4), pp. 587-600. Read Abstract (New Window)
Posey D.J., Erickson C.A., McDougle C.J.(2008). Developing drugs for core social and communication impairment in autism. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 17(4), pp. 787-801. Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full Item (New Window)
Rothenberger A.(1993). Psychopharmacological treatment of self-injurious behavior in individuals with autism. Acta Paedopsychiatrica. 56(2), pp. 99-104. Read Abstract (New Window)
Santosh P.J., Baird G.(2001). Pharmacotherapy of target symptoms in autistic spectrum disorders. Indian Pediatrics. 68(5), pp. 427-431. Read Abstract (New Window)
Scahill L., Koenig K.(1999). Pharmacotherapy in children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. 12(1), pp. 41-43. Read Abstract (New Window)
Self T.L., Hale L.S., Crumrine D.(Epub ahead of print). Pharmacotherapy and children with autism spectrum disorder: A tutorial for speech-language pathologists. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. Read Abstract (New Window)
Siegel M., Beaulieu A.A.(Epub ahead of print). Psychotropic medications in children with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and synthesis for evidence-based practice Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Read Abstract (New Window)
Soorya L., Hollander E., Kiarashi J.(2008). Psychopharmacologic interventions for repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 17(4), pp. 753-771. Read Abstract (New Window)
Stigler K.A., Posey D.J., McDougle C.J.(2002). Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of autism. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 2(4), pp. 499-510. Read Abstract (New Window)
Stigler K.A., McDougle C.J.(2008). Pharmacotherapy of irritability in pervasive developmental disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 17(4), pp. 739-752. Read Abstract (New Window)
Sung M., Fung .D.S.S., Ooi Y.P.(2010). Pharmacological management in children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorder. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 44(5), pp. 410-428. Read Abstract (New Window)
Tsai L.(1999). Psychopharmacology in autism. Psychosomatic Medicine. 61(5), pp. 651-665. Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full Item (New Window)
Unwin G., Deb S.(2008). Use of medication for the management of behavior problems among adults with intellectual disabilities: a clinicians’ consensus survey. American Journal of Mental Retardation. 113(1), pp. 19-31. Read Abstract (New Window)
Volkmar F.R.(2001). Pharmacological interventions in autism: theoretical and practical issues. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 30(1), pp. 80-87. Read Abstract (New Window)
West L., Waldrop J., Brunssen S.(2009). Pharmacologic treatment for the core deficits and associated symptoms of autism in children. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 23(2), pp. 75-89. Read Abstract (New Window)
Wink‌ L.K. et al. (2010). Emerging drugs for the treatment of symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders. Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs. 15(3), pp. 481-494. Read Abstract (New Window)

Last Updated : 10/04/2012 Back to Top