Dr. Bernard Rimland, the founder of ARI, would be enormously gratified that more and more parents are learning that “Autism is Treatable.” However, not all treatments are created equal; most commonly prescribed drugs have side effects that range from minor to severe to potentially fatal.

One of our goals at the Autism Research Institute (ARI) is to inform parents of the efficacy of various treatments for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ARI urges all practitioners to inform their patients about the possible adverse effects associated with every treatment that they recommend.

The lists of drugs and supplements below contain links to documents as well as other information about possible adverse effects. Many on the spectrum suffer from seizures or are prone to seizures, and many of the drugs commonly prescribed to these people may lower the threshold for having seizures. We have also listed those drugs that are associated with seizures along with a link.

If your son/daughter experiences side effects from taking prescribed medications, please contact the FDA at: MedWatch . Since supplements may also lead to side effects, please report them to: Dietary Supplements – Adverse Event Reporting. You can also call: 1.800.FDA.1088 (1.800.332.1088) to report adverse effects associated with prescription drugs and supplements.

In addition, parents can learn more about possible side effects, as well as benefits, associated with various treatments by reviewing the results from our parent treatment survey. The survey findings are based on over 27,000 responses, and include a large number of biomedical interventions, including drugs, nutritional supplements, and diet; of course, there is a selection bias in any survey.

Yes, autism is treatable, but it is the responsibility of the parent, working with the practitioner, to find the most efficacious and safest treatment for their child.

Adverse Reactions: Prescription/OTC Medications

Acetaminophen (depletes glutathione levels)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22781167

Adderal (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine)
May increase seizures, click here

Amphetamine — See Adderall and Ritalin

Anafranil (clomipramine)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/anafranil-side-effects.html
May increase seizures, click here

Atarax (hydroxyzine, Vistaril)
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/antihistamines-for-allergies
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/atarax-side-effects.html
May increase seizures, click here

Benadryl (diphenydramine)
May increase seizures, click here

Buspar (busipirone)
May increase seizures, click here

Cannabis Sativa
WebMD – Cannabis Sativa Side Effects

Chloral hydrate (Noctec)
https://www.drugs.com/ppa/chloral-hydrate.html

Clonidine (catapres)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/clonidine-side-effects.html

Clozapine (clozaril)
May increase seizures, click here

Cogentin (benztropine)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/cogentin-side-effects.html

Cylert (pemoline)
https://www.drugs.com/mtm/cylert.html

Depakene (valproic acid, Depakote)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/depakene-side-effects.html

Desipramine (Norpramin)
May increase seizures, click here

DMSA (DL-2,3-dimercapto-succinic acid)
https://www.drugs.com/pro/dmsa.html
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/oral-chelation-therapy-side-effects/

DMPS (2,3-dimercapto-1-propane-sulphonic acid)
May increase seizures, click here

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1032/edta
May increase seizures, click here

Effexor (venlafaxine)
May increase seizures, click here

Felbatol (felbamate)
May increase seizures, click here

Fenfluramine (Pomidin)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3543069

Geodon (zipasdone)
May increase seizures, click here

Halcion (triazolam)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/halcion-side-effects.html

Haldol (Haloperidol)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/haldol-side-effects.html
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5419/haldol-oral/details
https://whatmeds.stanford.edu/medications/haloperidol.html
May increase seizures, click here

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Johns Hopkins Medicine – HBOT Side Effects
May increase seizures:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12611573
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21192190
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18342297

IVIG (Intravenous Gamma Globulin)
q=fluvoxamine&uid=789633250&setcookie=yes
https://www.drugs.com/cons/vaccinia-ivig.html
https://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/8260119
https://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowAbstractBuch&ArtikelNr=56085&ProduktNr=228200

Klonopin (clonazepam)
https://www.drugs.com/klonopin.html
May increase seizures, click here

Lithium (Lithobid)
May increase seizures, click here

Luvox (fluvoxamine)
May increase seizures, click here

Mellaril (Thioridazine)
https://whatmeds.stanford.edu/medications/mellaril.html
May increase seizures, click here

Naltrexone (naloxone)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/naltrexone-side-effects.html

Paxil (paroxetine)
May increase seizures, click here

Phenergan (promethazine)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/phenergan-side-effects.html
May increase seizures, click here

Phenobarbital (Luminal, Solftoton)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/phenobarbital-side-effects.html

Prozac (fluoxetine)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/prozac-side-effects.html
May increase seizures, click here

Risperdal (risperidone)
May increase seizures, click here

Ritalin (methylphenidate)
May increase seizures, click here

Secretin
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-186-SECRETIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=186&activeIngredientName=SECRETIN

Seroquel (Quetiapine)

Stelazine (trifluoperazine)
https://www.rxlist.com/stelazine-drug.htm
May increase seizures, click here

Tegretol (carbamazepine)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/tegretol-side-effects.html

Tofranil (imipramine)
https://www.drugs.com/pdr/tofranil.html
May increase seizures, click here

Transfer Factor
wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_factor
WebMD – TF Side Effects

Valium (diazepam)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/valium-side-effects.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2826308

Zarontin (ethosuximide)
https://epilepsy.emedtv.com/zarontin/zarontin-side-effects.html

Zoloft
https://epilepsy.emedtv.com/zarontin/zarontin-side-effects.html

Zyprexa (Olanzapine)

Adverse Reactions: Supplements