Autistic children 'should be given Prozac to control their symptoms' » Health » 24dash.com

More autistic children in the UK should be given drugs like Prozac to control their symptoms, an expert said today.

Professor Eric Hollander said a of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had been shown to reduce anxiety and disruptive behaviours.

About 37% of children with autism in the United States are taking SSRIs but Prof Hollander said the figure was a "lot less" in the UK.

"I do think that many of these individuals can benefit from this type of treatment," he said.

"It really should be considered as part of an overall treatment package."

Prof Hollander, who is chairman of psychiatry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, said UK clinicians may "not be comfortable" using these types of medicines in autistic children.

But trials - some on children as young as two - suggested there were benefits of intervening at a young age.

Those with autism seemed to do well on low doses of Prozac and showed improvement in just a short period of time, perhaps just three or four weeks, he said.

They displayed fewer "endless ritual" behaviours, less anxiety and better social interaction, he went on.

The drugs did not "cure the illness" but reduced stress and improved functioning.

"I would say that there's evidence that these medicines can be very effective," he said, adding that he believed there was "probably an under-use of these medicines in the UK".

SSRIs are a of drugs that treat depression but can also be prescribed for other conditions such panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety.

The drugs, which also include citalopram (Cipramil) and fluvoxamine (Faverin), work on a chemical neurotransmitter in the brain called serotonin. According to clinical evidence noted on the British Medical Journal's Best Treatments website, doctors have been known to prescribe Prozac if an autistic child also has depression or anxiety or does the same actions over and over again.

Boosting levels of serotonin have been shown to improve mood and social interaction.

The Best Treatments website said: "Children with autism often behave a lot like people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"People with this condition feel they must follow a strict routine. They may also have anxiety.

"SSRIs can be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. So some doctors think they may also help children with autism who follow strict routines."

The Mount Sinai School is a shareholder in the company Neuropharm, which is currently developing Prozac for use in autistic children.

Recruitment of 126 children for a phase three clinical trial into the drug has already got under way.

The purpose of the study is to assess the effect of fluoxetine (the generic name for Prozac) when taken as orally dissolving tablets.

Prof Hollander said the current lowest dose of fluoxetine was 10mg. The trial would assess the impact of once-a-day pills containing either 2mg, 9mg or 18mg, he said.

There are hopes the drug could be on the market within two years.

In 2006, Neuropharm acquired the rights to develop fluoxetine for use in autism from the Mount Sinai School.

Prof Hollander was granted Orphan Drug Designation for the drug in 1999, according to the firm's website.

The Orphan Drug Act offers companies incentives to develop drugs for the treatment of people with rare disorders.

According to the Neuropharm website, Prof Hollander is also a consultant to the company.

There are currently different approaches to treating people with autism, including improving behaviour and diet.

Those with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) may have very mild or more severe symptoms.

They may have difficulty with social interaction, such as appearing aloof and indifferent, or communicating and using language.

Some sufferers may take part in rigid and repetitive routines and become upset if these are altered.

The exact cause of autism is unknown although it is believed that genetics play a part.

More than 500,000 families in the UK are thought to be affected by autism, according to the National Autistic Society.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US is currently carrying out a long-term study on the causes of autism and appropriate treatments.

According to experts, drugs like SSRIs are often used to treat the behavioural problems associated with autism, although many are prescribed "off-label".

This means a doctor believes the drugs may be beneficial despite the fact they have not been officially approved for use in children.

A spokeswoman for the National Autistic Society in the UK said: "Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition.

"It is a spectrum condition, meaning that it affects everyone in a different way so a therapy or medication that helps one person might not be effective for another.

"The NAS recommends that parents explore behavioural strategies with their children in the first instance.

"In some cases medication, used in conjunction with behavioural therapies, may be appropriate for behavioural or mental health difficulties, for example aggression or anxiety.

"However, the NAS strongly recommends that people seeking information about medication consult with their GP.

"There is, at present, no known cure for autism, although with appropriate education and support children with autism can progress and go on to fulfil their potential.

"There are over half a million people in the UK with autism and it is crucial that services are in place to meet their needs and support families."

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