The FDA has approved risperidone for the treatment of aggression, self-injury, tantrums, and irritability associated with autism in children. The drug is now approved for use in children from age 5 through adolescence.
Risperidone (Risperdal) is an antipsychotic drug used since 1993 to treat adults with schizophrenia and since 2003 to treat extreme mood swings in adults with other psychiatric disorders. Studies have shown the drug to be effective in treating aggression symptoms in children with autism. It does not treat the core symptoms of autism, including social avoidance and communication problems.
