Abstract

Venlafaxine has modest effects in autistic children

Author(s): Helmut Niederhofer

Objectives: Few controlled psychopharmacologic trials have been conducted in autistic children to determine which agents may be effective at alleviating associated symptoms. Methods: Fourteen male children (7.1 ± 3.0 years) with autistic disorder, diagnosed by ICD- 10 criteria, completed a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial of venlafaxine (Effexord^®, Wyeth ) administered at a dosage of 30 mg daily for 6 weeks. Subjects were included in the study if their eye contact and expressive language were inadequate for their developmental level. Subjects had not tolerated or responded to other psychopharmacologic treatments (neuroleptics, methylphenidate, clonidine or desipramine). Results: Teacher ratings on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist irritability, stereotype and inappropriate speech factors were lower during treatment with venlafaxine than during treatment with placebo. Clinician ratings (Children’s Psychiatric Rating Scale Autism, Anger and Speech Deviance factors; Children’s Global Assessment Scale; Clinical Global Impressions Efficacy) of videotaped sessions were not significantly different between venlafaxine and placebo. Discussion: Venlafaxine was modestly effective in the short-term treatment of irritability in some children with autistic disorder.