Aripiprazole is a medication sometimes prescribed to manage certain behavioral aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, its effectiveness and role in treating adults with autism is a topic of ongoing research. This article explores Aripiprazole’s potential benefits and drawbacks for individuals with ASD.
What Is Aripiprazole?
Aripiprazole is a prescription medication classified as an atypical antipsychotic. This means it belongs to a group of drugs that share a similar mechanism of action in treating various mental health conditions. Aripiprazole comes in the form of an oral tablet, although other formulations like oral solution and orally disintegrating tablets exist.
Aripiprazole is available in various strengths, ranging from 2 milligrams (mg) to 30 mg, allowing for a personalized approach to treatment depending on the specific condition. The brand name version of aripiprazole is Abilify, but it’s also available as a generic medication, which offers the same active ingredient as Abilify at a potentially lower cost.
Aripiprazole has received approval from regulatory bodies for the treatment of several mental health conditions:
- Schizophrenia: Aripiprazole is effective in managing the symptoms of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and abnormal social behavior. It’s approved for use in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older.
- Bipolar I Disorder: Aripiprazole can help manage manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, a condition characterized by cycles of extreme mood swings between mania (elevated mood, racing thoughts, hyperactivity) and depression (low mood, loss of interest, fatigue). It’s approved for use in adults and children aged 10 years and older experiencing these episodes.
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): In adults experiencing major depressive disorder, aripiprazole can be used in combination with antidepressant medications to enhance treatment effects.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Aripiprazole has shown some promise in managing irritability, a common symptom associated with ASD, in children aged 6 years and older. However, it’s important to note that research in this area is ongoing.
- Tourette’s Syndrome: Aripiprazole can help manage the symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics (sudden, repetitive movements or sounds). It’s approved for use in children aged 6 years and older.
How Does Aripiprazole Work?
Aripiprazole’s exact role in managing some symptoms of ASD is still under investigation. However, researchers believe its effectiveness lies in its ability to influence the complex interplay of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and serotonin. These chemical messengers play a crucial role in regulating mood, behavior, cognition, and movement.
Dopamine is often associated with feelings of reward, motivation, and pleasure. In individuals with ASD, dopamine regulation might be imbalanced. Aripiprazole is thought to act as a dopamine partial agonist, meaning it can either increase or decrease dopamine activity.
In some cases, individuals with ASD may have overly active dopamine systems contributing to hyperactivity or repetitive behaviors. Aripiprazole can help mitigate these effects by partially blocking dopamine receptors, leading to a calmer and more focused state.
Serotonin is another vital neurotransmitter that influences mood, social interaction, and emotional regulation. Studies suggest that serotonin levels may also be atypical in some individuals with ASD.
Aripiprazole can act as a serotonin stabilizer, helping to regulate its activity. This may lead to improvements in mood swings, irritability, and social anxiety, which are common challenges for people with ASD.
Aripiprazole’s effectiveness hinges on its ability to find the right balance between dopamine and serotonin activity for each individual. This is why doctors typically start with a low dose and gradually adjust it based on a patient’s specific response and tolerability.
It’s important to remember that Aripiprazole is not a cure for ASD. While it may offer some benefits in managing certain symptoms, a comprehensive treatment approach often yields the best results. This may include therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that focus on developing crucial life skills and improving social communication.
The Benefits and Side Effects of Aripiprazole for Autistic People
Aripiprazole is not a cure for ASD and is not FDA-approved for treating core ASD symptoms. However, some research suggests it may offer short-term relief from certain behavioral issues in children and adolescents with ASD.
Studies involving young children with severe irritability and aggression showed improvement in these behaviors after using aripiprazole alongside standard therapies. In some cases, even core ASD symptoms improved, with 60% of patients showing minimal to no symptoms.
These findings are preliminary and require further investigation through larger clinical trials. Aripiprazole’s effectiveness can vary significantly, and it should only be used under a doctor’s supervision, especially considering the potential side effects.
Aripiprazole, however, can cause a range of side effects, categorized as mild or serious. These may include nausea, restlessness, anxiety, headaches, sleep problems, fatigue, blurry vision, increased saliva, dizziness, constipation, tremors, and mild allergic reactions.
While less common, serious side effects require immediate medical attention. These include excessive sleepiness impacting daily activities, sudden drops in blood pressure, involuntary movements, and a rare but severe reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Aripiprazole may also cause metabolic changes like high blood sugar, weight gain, and increased cholesterol. In some cases, compulsive behaviors, seizures, low white blood cell count, and difficulty regulating body temperature can occur.
Children taking aripiprazole are also at an increased risk for similar side effects as adults, with some occurring more frequently. A particularly serious concern is the potential for aripiprazole to increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in some children.
If you are an adult with autism in New York searching for services to help you thrive, Better Way can help. We offer comprehensive ABA therapy programs designed to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can support you on your journey!
Sources: