Celexa in children autism
Current research, which had tried to prove that an antidepressant Celexa is potent in treatment of children autism has failed.
Therapy of autism with selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake is very common, which takes place in treatment of nearly 30% of children with the disease. Other methods of treatment include the use of neuroleptics, which work as sedatives or stimulants as Ritalin, which decrease the hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Celexa or as the active ingredient is called citalopram, is not used as extensively as other similair antidepressants – prozac and paxil. However it is easier to use the drug due to possible administration in liquid form.
The drug is rapidly eliminated from the organism, which makes it easier to regulate the dosage. The research had been performed on 149 children aged from 5 to 17 years with a diagnosis autism. The children had taken 16.5 mg of Celexa and placebo for 3 months.
The condition had improved in 1\3 of all patients in both groups. Thus the effectiveness of the antidepressant Celexa had not been higher then in placebo. Also the drug had caused such side-effects as diarrhea, hyperactivity and insomnia. The received data discredits the use of other antidepressants of the same class in treatment of the disorder.