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Pepcid Appears May Improve Behavior In Autistic Children PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- September 24, 1999 -- A new study indicates that the drug famotidine (Pepcid) - used to treat peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux - may improve behavior in autistic children. According to the September issue of The Brown University Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, previous studies in which Pepcid was used to treat gastrointestinal problems in adults with schizophrenia revealed that some of the patients’ negative symptoms of schizophrenia improved. Lead study author Linda A. Linday, M.D. of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York explained that because there are similarities between the social isolation symptoms of children with autism and the negative symptoms of adults with schizophrenia, she thought Pepcid might be helpful for autistic children. Linday’s study, which was presented at the 1999 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, involved nine boys, ages four to eight, who were diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)/autism. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover and revealed that four of the nine boys (44 percent) exhibited behavioral improvements after being treated with Pepcid. Though the results of the study were favorable, Linday and other researchers noted that this study was small and additional research on the use of Pepcid in autistic children is needed. Also featured in this month’s issue of The Brown University Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, researchers debate the safety of combining Ritalin with a drug commonly prescribed for hypertension in adults to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The issue also includes a review of new antipsychotic medications for children and adolescents and a case report of the efficacy of certain drugs in treating Tourette’s disorder. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version