THE USE OF OLANZAPINE IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND EPILEPSY

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of olanzapine in the treatment of autistic behaviors in children with epilepsy.

Methods: This is a single centre prospective, open-label study on 24 patients, ages 5–12 years. All patients have disruptive and autistic behavior, epilepsy (either partial or generalized) and were treated with one or more AEDs. An individual flexible tritration of olanzapine starting 1.25mg/ day to a max of 5mg/day procedure was used to adjust the dosage for optimal efficacy and minimal untoward effects. The impact was evaluated with a clinical global scale (CGI) and peers scales.

Results: All the patients completed the study. 21 of 24 patients (87%) were responders according to the definition, and 17/24 patients also showed and enhancement of behavior/cognition. Side effects were observed in 11 patients, the most frequent was somnolence (22%), increase of appetite and weight-gain (19%) and drooling (4%). Two patients experience increased seizures, but was controlled with adjustment of their antiepileptic drugs. Antiepileptic levels didn't had a variation in the serum levels.

Conclusions: In this open clinical study, olanzapine appears to be an effective and safety treatment for children with epilepsy and disruptive-autistic behaviors. Double-blind crossover studies are required to substantiate these findings.