PSYCHOTROPIC AND ANTICONVULSANT DRUGS IN SUBJECTS WITH AUTISM - PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF USE

Objective: To survey the prevalence and patterns of psychotropic and a nticonvulsant medication and vitamin treatments in patients with autis m, Method: Caregivers of 1,595 index cases were sent survey questionna ires by mail, and repeat questionnaires were sent twice if no reply wa s received. Results: A total of 838 care providers (53%) responded to the survey. In all, 33.8% of the sample was taking some psychotropic d rug or vitamin for autism or associated behavioral/psychiatric problem s, A total of 19.2% reported having epilepsy, but only 13.2% were taki ng anticonvulsant drugs. More than 50% of the sample was taking some p sychotropic, antiepileptic, vitamin, or ''medical'' agent. Of the agen ts taken, care providers were most satisfied with anticonvulsants, ant idepressants, and stimulants. The use of each drug group was analyzed with respect to subject and demographic variables to evaluate medicati on patterns within this population, Conclusion: As in the often relate d clinical population of mental retardation, psychotropic medication a ppears to be heavily used in patients with autism.