Antidepressants and Autism
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Type(s) : Medication
Time
Treatment with antidepressants usually starts with a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (or less often with a tricyclic). It takes about 10 to 14 days for the drugs to start working, and six to eight weeks for them to fully take effect.
Individuals with autism vary in their response to particular antidepressants. If there is no benefit it may be necessary to increase the dose or change to a different antidepressant.
Involvement
Antidepressants require relatively little carer or professional time once the initial prescription has been made. However the side effects need to be monitored and effort made to ensure the benefits of the treatment outweigh the disadvantages for the individual with autism.
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Last Updated : 25/03/2013 Back to Top
