Fluoxetine in treatment of adolescent patients with Autism : A longtudinal open trial.

Retrospective chart reviews of seven adolescent and young adults with autistic disorder treated with fluxoxetine alone or in combination with other medications were performed. Patients ages varied from 9-20 years. Fluxoetin doses ranged from 20-80 mg per day. Duration of treatment ranged from 1.3-32 months. Patients symptoms were montiored using the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) rating scale during every visit. Side effects included initial appetite suppression, vivid dreams, and hyperactivity. Improvement from baseline was seen in four subscales: irritability (21%) Lethargy subscales improved significantly during treatment. Hyperactivity subscale increased by 14% but did not attain statistical significance. Fluoxetine appears to have important behavioural effects in treatment of clinic-referred autistic children. Future double-blind placebo controlled studies evaluating core and associated symptom response with fluxotine are warranted. [AJ].