Utilization of psychotropic medications in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers studied medication use in nearly 25,000 people with autism over 10 years. They found that about 2 in 3 people took antipsychotic medications or antidepressants. People who started with antipsychotic medications were twice as likely to switch to different medications compared to those who started with antidepressants. This suggests that finding the right medication for autism can be challenging.

This large-scale analysis of 24,730 commercially insured individuals with autism spectrum disorder (aged 2-26) examined psychotropic medication utilization patterns from 2012-2021. The study found that 64.6% received second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Individuals initially prescribed SGAs (aripiprazole or risperidone) switched medications significantly more frequently than those starting with SSRIs (6.13% vs 3.41% annually). Switching patterns changed over time, with risperidone switching decreasing and aripiprazole switching increasing.

The higher switching rates for SGAs may reflect adverse effects or insufficient symptom improvement, highlighting the complexity of medication management in autism.

Clinicians should carefully monitor individuals with autism starting SGAs for adverse effects or insufficient response. The higher switching rates suggest need for enhanced medication selection strategies and closer follow-up. Prescribing patterns may benefit from systematic evaluation of individual patient factors before initiating psychotropic treatment.

Study limited to commercially insured individuals, potentially missing those with public insurance or no coverage. The analysis focuses on switching rates but doesn't examine reasons for switching, treatment outcomes, or medication effectiveness. Sample demographics and specific autism characteristics not detailed.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), specifically aripiprazole and risperidone, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are psychotropic medications commonly prescribed to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is unclear how often individuals with ASD initiate with SGAs, how frequently they switch medications, and how utilization has changed over time. This study investigates trends in psychotropic medication use among individuals with ASD in the USA from 2012 to 2021. We analyzed a national cohort of commercially insured individuals with ASD aged 2 to 26 years using data from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus for Academics database.

Individuals were classified as newly prescribed if they had not previously received a prescription for the medication before the study period, and no prescription in the period immediately preceding it. We examined trends in psychotropic medication utilization yearly and conducted a detailed month-by-month analysis for 2019. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare medication switching rates between SSRIs and SGAs. Among 24,730 individuals, 64.6% were prescribed SGAs or SSRIs.

Medication switching was more frequent among those initially prescribed aripiprazole or risperidone (6.13% annually) compared to those starting with SSRIs (3.41%). The Mann-Whitney U test (W = 67, p < 0.05) confirmed a significant difference in switching rates between the two groups. Switching from risperidone decreased from 2012 to 2021 (Spearman's ρ = -0.32), whereas switching from aripiprazole increased (Spearman's ρ = 0.50). Individuals with ASD newly prescribed SGAs switched to other drug classes nearly twice as often as those prescribed SSRIs.

The higher switching rate may be influenced by adverse effects or insufficient symptom improvement. Future studies should explore long-term outcomes and the clinical decision-making processes underlying medication changes. Not applicable.