There is insufficient high quality research evidence to determine if antidepressants have any effect on the core features of autism, such as restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities.
There is insufficient high quality research evidence to determine if antidepressants have any effect on mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, in autistic people.
There is insufficient high quality research evidence to determine if antidepressants have any effect on other issues, such as challenging behaviours, in autistic people.
There is evidence of significant side effects of some antidepressants in some people, including in some autistic individuals. Those side effects may include decreased alertness, sexual problems, diabetes, SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion), serotonin syndrome, suicidal feelings, neuroleptic malignant syndrome and hypomania or mania.
Future research should