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A Retrospective Study of Amitriptyline in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

We performed a retrospective chart review of 50 youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), prescribed amitriptyline (AMI) for hyperactivity and impulsivity. Data was systematically extracted from 50 outpatient clinic charts, including AMI treatment duration, dose, trough levels and adverse events. Mean age was 9.4 years (4.6–17.9); 40 were males and 10 females. 30 % had failed atomoxetine and 40 % had failed ≥3 ADHD medications. Mean dose was 1.3 ± 0.6 mg/kg/day, mean trough level 114.1 ± 50.5 ng/ml, mean duration 3.4 years. Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Improvement (CGI-I) was ≤2 in 60 % of patients at the final visit, and in 82 % of patients for at least 50 % of follow-ups. Cautious use of low dose AMI shows promise for treatment-resistant youth with ASD accompanied by hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression and self injury.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART).

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Author notes

  1. Galen Cook-Wiens

    Present address: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Irfan Bhatti

  2. School of Medicine M4, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Andrew Thome

  3. School of Nursing, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Patricia Oxler Smith

  4. Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Hung Wen Yeh

  5. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Iowa Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

    Gary R. Gaffney

  6. The Ohio State University, Nisonger Center, 1581 Dodd Dr, Columbus, OH, USA

    Jessica A. Hellings

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  1. Irfan Bhatti
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Correspondence to Jessica A. Hellings.

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Bhatti, I., Thome, A., Smith, P.O. et al. A Retrospective Study of Amitriptyline in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 1017–1027 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1647-0

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