1. Know What Side Effects to Expect
All of the drugs used to treat people with autism carry some side effects. Depending on which type of drug your child needs, however, there are different side effects you can expect. There are two main types of psychotropic drugs used in autism treatment -- antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants. In function, these drugs have somewhat opposite effects. Likewise, they tend to have somewhat opposite side effects. Antipsychotic drugs like risperidone (sold under the brand name Risperdal) are used to treat behaviors like tantrums, self-injury and aggression. The primary side effects from these drugs are drowsiness and fatigue. Antidepressants like fluoxetine (sold under the brand name Prozac) are used to treat depression, anxiety and OCD behaviors. The primary side effects from these drugs are insomnia and increased agitation. Both types of drugs have weight gain as a side effect. Additional side effects may also occur in rare cases and these should be discussed with your doctor.
2. Work to Find the Right Dosage
When using psychotropic drugs to treat people with autism, especially children, finding the right dosage is key. People with autism often have irregularities in their nervous system sensitivity, so normal dosage recommendations are not always applicable. When your child is put on a medication for the first time, the dosage is likely to be either too high or too low. If the dosage is too high, serious side effects can emerge. If the dosage is too low, the drug may have no effect. Your doctor will probably adjust your child's dosage repeatedly to try to create an equilibrium between effectiveness and side effects. In many cases, however, it's impossible to find a dosage that does not cause some side effects. In those cases, learning to cope with and manage those side effects is the only option.
3. Strategize to Counteract Side Effects
When side effects cannot be avoided, there are some things you can do to manage them and minimize their effect on your child. If antipsychotic drugs cause fatigue, you can try giving the medication just before bedtime or adding a mid-day nap into your child's schedule. If antidepressant drugs cause insomnia, you can try giving the medication upon waking, cutting down on or eliminating stimulants like sugar and caffeine from your child's diet and establishing a calming bedtime routine. If weight gain is a problem, adjusting your child's diet and adding more exercise is recommended. In fact, increasing physical exercise can be helpful in managing most of the side effects from drugs used in autism treatment.
4. Work With Your Child's Doctor
It's important to report all side effects of autism medications to your doctor rather than trying to cope on your own. This is particularly important with SSRI antidepressant drugs, as these drugs can cause increases in suicidal thinking. Your doctor may be able to offer additional strategies to minimize those side effects or may suggest another medication to try. While many psychotropic drugs in the same category have similar formulations, your child may tolerate one better than another. When changing drugs, however, it's important to employ a step-down approach rather than stopping or switching cold. Going off a psychotropic drug spontaneously can cause dangerous side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
