Successful Use of Sertindole for Severe Behavioral Dyscontrol in a Pediatric Case of Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is commonly associated with a host of challenging behaviors. Pharmacotherapy is indicated if psychosocial and educational interventions fail. Atypical antipsychotics have the strongest evidence base so far, with both risperidone and aripiprazole being FDA approved. Unfortunately, their use is fraught with metabolic and neurohormonal side effects. In this study, the author is reporting on a case of syndromic ASD/moderate intellectual disability with severe behavioral component that failed multiple psychotropic trials and ultimately responded dramatically to sertindole. Sertindole reversed metabolic derangements and was highly tolerated. This is one of earliest cases to report use of sertindole in autism. This might open new venues in such complicated cases.