Re: Use of Risperidone for some severe behaviors in autism

[Guest guest]

My 9 year old is on .2ml in the morning and it has made an all-round difference

- this dose is so tiny that the Dr called it a homeopathic dose - so little

chance of any side effects hopefully - He has been on it for about 12 weeks and

in that time he has matured somewhat his talking is amazing very appropriate

etc. it seems to have helped in the total overall picture and of course is much

more focused at school etc. I think it has taken away stress so he can actually

concentrate better. Also of course I am chelating and using enzymes Ojibwa Tea

etc. but it has made a difference. Also we had severe eatiing difficulties and

the side effect is these children tend to put on weight - but is merely

just eating more normally now - far less stressful.

Regards

Terri NZ

[ ] Use of Risperidone for some severe behaviors in

autism

from Morning Edition, Thursday, August 1, 2002

Michele Trudeau reports on a new study by the New England Journal of

Medicine showing that a new antipsychotic drug can help reduce

behavior problems in autistic children. No previous study in autism

has shown this significant an effect. (3:59)[minutes]

[No text available, you can listen to the segment here:]

http://search.npr.org/cf/cmn/segment_display.cfm?segID=147643

The report is based on a new study this week in the New England

Journal of Medicine on the use of the antipsychotic drug Risperidone

for severe behavior problems in children with autism. Risperidone is

usually used in schisophrenia. The study involved 101 children,

mostly boys, and tested the effectiveness of Risperidone and a

placebo over an eight week period. Over 70% on Risperidone were very

much improved in the areas of behavior, appetite, sleep and activity

level. They went from multiple " episodes per day " of severe problems

of agression, self-injurious behaviors, and explosive tantrums

to " episodes per week " .

The report said it is not a cure for autism, but may be effective on

such behaviors, therefore possibly allowing children with such

aggresive problems to live at home and may allow autism therapies to

be more effective. Side effect of a weight gain of about 6 pounds

was reported in a number of children. No neurological side effects

were noted in the six week study. The report also said, " No other

study is autism has shown this large a treatment effect. "

And, " unknown are the possible long-term risks from using

Risperidone. "

[Guest guest]

For those of you who want to learn more about this drug... here is a

good link... this is from a PDR (physicians desk reference) type thing

on the internet... I have this link on my site as well.. under " great

medical references " ... this may give you a little more information

than what you normally see in all these studies.

http://www.gettingwell.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/RIS1382.shtm

l

looks like its a " tranquilizer " ... so,yes, I would expect periods of

aggression to " go down " ... in the autistic and anyone else for that

matter.

Jeanne A.Brohart

http://www.autismhelpforyou.com

> My 9 year old is on .2ml in the morning and it has made an all-round

difference - this dose is so tiny that the Dr called it a homeopathic

dose - so little chance of any side effects hopefully - He has been on

it for about 12 weeks and in that time he has matured somewhat his

talking is amazing very appropriate etc. it seems to have helped in

the total overall picture and of course is much more focused at school

etc. I think it has taken away stress so he can actually concentrate

better. Also of course I am chelating and using enzymes Ojibwa Tea

etc. but it has made a difference. Also we had severe eatiing

difficulties and the side effect is these children tend to put on

weight - but is merely just eating more normally now - far

less stressful.

>

> Regards

> Terri NZ

> [ ] Use of Risperidone for some severe

behaviors in autism

>

>

> from Morning Edition, Thursday, August 1, 2002

> Michele Trudeau reports on a new study by the New England Journal

of

> Medicine showing that a new antipsychotic drug can help reduce

> behavior problems in autistic children. No previous study in

autism

> has shown this significant an effect. (3:59)[minutes]

>

>

> [No text available, you can listen to the segment here:]

> http://search.npr.org/cf/cmn/segment_display.cfm?segID=147643

>

>

> The report is based on a new study this week in the New England

> Journal of Medicine on the use of the antipsychotic drug

Risperidone

> for severe behavior problems in children with autism. Risperidone

is

> usually used in schisophrenia. The study involved 101 children,

> mostly boys, and tested the effectiveness of Risperidone and a

> placebo over an eight week period. Over 70% on Risperidone were

very

> much improved in the areas of behavior, appetite, sleep and

activity

> level. They went from multiple " episodes per day " of severe

problems

> of agression, self-injurious behaviors, and explosive tantrums

> to " episodes per week " .

>

>

> The report said it is not a cure for autism, but may be effective

on

> such behaviors, therefore possibly allowing children with such

> aggresive problems to live at home and may allow autism therapies

to

> be more effective. Side effect of a weight gain of about 6 pounds

> was reported in a number of children. No neurological side

effects

> were noted in the six week study. The report also said, " No other

> study is autism has shown this large a treatment effect. "

> And, " unknown are the possible long-term risks from using

> Risperidone. "

>

>

>

>

>

>