Amitriptyline for Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Summary

The investigators will recruit 30 children and adolescents (15 per group x 2 groups) aged 6 to 17 years with ASD and significant repetitive behaviors that cause problems to them and to others around them. Subjects will be randomized to either amitriptyline (AMI), dosed flexibly according to response and tolerability with a maximum dose of 100mg per day or 1.5mg/kg/day, in divided doses to minimize side effects, or placebo in look-alike capsules, for 10 weeks. Rating scales will be used to measure outcomes.

Timeline

Start

2023-11-01

Primary completion

2025-05-23

Completion

2025-05-23

Publications

• Background Bhatti I, Thome A, Smith PO, Cook-Wiens G, Yeh HW, Gaffney GR, Hellings JA. A retrospective study of amitriptyline in youth with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 May;43(5):1017-27. doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1647-0.

Drugs

Indications