Aripiprazole for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a Cochrane Review

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Antipsychotics have been used as a medication intervention for irritability related to ASD. Aripiprazole, a third-generation, atypical antipsychotic, is a relatively new drug that has a unique mechanism of action different from that of other antipsychotics. This review updates a previous Cochrane review on the safety and efficacy of aripiprazole for individuals with ASD, published in 2011 (Ching 2011).