To take care of behavioral problems, Antipsychotic medications are used. They decrease the activity of neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Many medications have been found more helpful than the placebos. These antipsychotic meds are thioridazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol®),haloperidol and chlorpromazine. No doubt haloperidol is very helpful but it might cause some side effects like abnormal movements, stiffness in muscles and sedation.
These days, new studies are being conducted in controlled environment. A new antipsychotic called “Atypica” is being tested. The first test conducted was on the risperidone (Risperdal®). The duration of the study was 8 days that took place in 2002 and the results proved that risperidone is very effective drug that helps to control the symptoms of Autism. The side effects detected were weight gain and increased appetite. However, more studies should to be done to figure out whether there are some long-term disadvantages of using it or not. Studies have also been done on ziprasidone (Geodon®) and olanzapine (Zyprexa®) and results have given positive hopes.