Editing Asperger syndrome (section)

=== Medications ===
No medications directly treat the core symptoms of AS.<ref name=Towbin>{{cite journal | vauthors = Towbin KE | title = Strategies for pharmacologic treatment of high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome | journal = Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 23–45 | date = January 2003 | pmid = 12512397 | doi = 10.1016/S1056-4993(02)00049-4 | url = https://zenodo.org/record/1260194}}</ref> Although research into the efficacy of pharmaceutical intervention for AS is limited,<ref name="McPart2006" /> it is essential to diagnose and treat [[comorbid]] conditions.<ref name="Baskin" /> Deficits in self-identifying emotions or in observing effects of one's behavior on others can make it difficult for individuals with AS to see why medication may be appropriate.<ref name=Towbin /> Medication can be effective in combination with behavioral interventions and environmental accommodations in treating comorbid symptoms such as anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, inattention, and aggression.<ref name="McPart2006" /> The [[atypical antipsychotic]] medications [[risperidone]], [[olanzapine]] and [[aripiprazole]] have been shown to reduce the associated symptoms of AS;<ref name="McPart2006" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hirsch LE, Pringsheim T | title = Aripiprazole for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 6 | pages = CD009043 | date = June 2016 | volume = 2016 | pmid = 27344135 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD009043.pub3 | pmc = 7120220}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Blankenship K, Erickson CA, Stigler KA, Posey DJ, McDougle CJ | title = Aripiprazole for irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents aged 6–17 years | journal = Pediatric Health | volume = 4 | issue = 4 | pages = 375–81 | date = September 2010 | pmid = 21359119 | pmc = 3043611 | doi = 10.2217/phe.10.45}}</ref> risperidone can reduce repetitive and self-injurious behaviors, aggressive outbursts, and impulsivity, and improve stereotypical patterns of behavior and social relatedness. The [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]]s (SSRIs) [[fluoxetine]], [[fluvoxamine]], and [[sertraline]] have been effective in treating restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors,<ref name="McPart2006" /><ref name="Baskin" /><ref name="Foster" /> while stimulant medication, such as [[methylphenidate]], can reduce inattention.<ref name="CCD2007">{{cite journal | vauthors = Myers SM, Johnson CP | title = Management of children with autism spectrum disorders | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 120 | issue = 5 | pages = 1162–82 | date = November 2007 | pmid = 17967921 | doi = 10.1542/peds.2007-2362 | doi-access = free}}</ref> In addition, scientists have made a noteworthy finding that [[Oxytocin (medication)|oxytocin]], a hormone, plays a significant role in shaping human social behavior and the formation of interpersonal connections.<ref name=":0" />

Care must be taken with medications, as side effects may be more common and harder to evaluate in individuals with AS, and tests of drugs' effectiveness against comorbid conditions routinely exclude individuals from the autism spectrum.<ref name=Towbin /> Abnormalities in [[metabolism]], [[Electrical conduction system of the heart|cardiac conduction]] times, and an increased risk of [[Diabetes mellitus type 2|type 2 diabetes]] have been raised as concerns with antipsychotic medications,<ref name="Newcomer">{{cite journal | vauthors = Newcomer JW | title = Antipsychotic medications: metabolic and cardiovascular risk | journal = The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry | volume = 68 | issue = Suppl 4 | pages = 8–13 | year = 2007 | pmid = 17539694}}</ref><ref name="Chavez">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chavez B, Chavez-Brown M, Sopko MA, Rey JA | title = Atypical antipsychotics in children with pervasive developmental disorders | journal = Paediatric Drugs | volume = 9 | issue = 4 | pages = 249–66 | year = 2007 | pmid = 17705564 | doi = 10.2165/00148581-200709040-00006 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.659.4150 | s2cid = 6690106}}</ref> along with serious long-term neurological side effects.<ref name=interrev /> SSRIs can lead to manifestations of behavioral activation such as increased impulsivity, aggression, and [[sleep disturbance]].<ref name="Foster" /> [[Weight gain]] and fatigue are commonly reported side effects of risperidone, which may also lead to increased risk for [[extrapyramidal symptoms]] such as restlessness and [[dystonia]]<ref name="Foster" /> and increased serum [[prolactin]] levels.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Staller J | title = The effect of long-term antipsychotic treatment on prolactin | journal = Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology | volume = 16 | issue = 3 | pages = 317–26 | date = June 2006 | pmid = 16768639 | doi = 10.1089/cap.2006.16.317}}</ref> Sedation and weight gain are more common with [[olanzapine]],<ref name="Chavez" /> which has also been linked with diabetes.<ref name="Newcomer" /> Sedative side-effects in school-age children<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stachnik JM, Nunn-Thompson C | s2cid = 31715163 | title = Use of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of autistic disorder | journal = The Annals of Pharmacotherapy | volume = 41 | issue = 4 | pages = 626–34 | date = April 2007 | pmid = 17389666 | doi = 10.1345/aph.1H527}}</ref> have ramifications for classroom learning. Individuals with AS may be unable to identify and communicate their internal [[Mood (psychology)|moods]] and emotions or to tolerate side effects that for most people would not be problematic.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism: research concerns and emerging foci|journal=Current Opinion in Psychiatry|volume=16|issue=5|pages=535–42|year=2003|vauthors=Blacher J, Kraemer B, Schalow M|doi=10.1097/00001504-200309000-00008|s2cid=146839394}}</ref>