Open AccessThe Safety and Effectiveness of High-Dose Propranolol as a Treatment for Challenging Behaviors in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author(s) -
Eric London,
Ji-Yeon Yoo,
Eric Fethke,
Barbie Zimmerman-Bier
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.786
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1533-712X
pISSN - 0271-0749
DOI - 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001175
Subject(s) - propranolol , medicine , regimen , adverse effect , clinical trial , autism , anger , autism spectrum disorder , clinical global impression , placebo , intensive care medicine , psychiatry , anesthesia , alternative medicine , pathology
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders present with social communication deficits and a rigid adherence to sameness. Along with these symptoms, many individuals also present with severe challenging behaviors that place themselves as well as their families and communities at risk for injury. For these individuals, new and effective treatments are acutely needed. Propranolol has been used worldwide for over 50 years. Its primary indication is for hypertension, but there is evidence that, at higher doses, propranolol inhibits rage and anger through its effects on the central nervous system. This effect has been demonstrated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.