# Dataset of pharmacotherapy in autism spectrum disorder

## TL;DR

This study presents a dataset on medication use in children with autism in Brazil, highlighting common drugs and factors associated with their use.

## Contribution

The paper provides a detailed dataset on pharmacotherapy in a low socioeconomic ASD population in Brazil.

## Key findings

- 57.36% of participants were under psychopharmacological treatment.
- Risperidone combined with valproic acid was the most common medication combination.
- ASD levels 2 and 3, epilepsy, and age were linked to higher medication use.

## Abstract

Pharmacological interventions are widely used in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We investigated the profile of psychopharmaceutical in a sample of children with ASD of low socioeconomic stratum enrolled and the public school in the city of Embu das Artes, Sao Paulo Brazil. From 149 children with a diagnosis of ASD identified in the municipal education department, informant consents were obtained from 129 children's parents. Data collection was performed through clinical evaluation of the children and face to face application of a questionnaire for parents regarding medication use. The participants socioeconomic stratum was mostly C (72.86 %), followed by B (16,27 %), D (10.07 %), and A (0.7 %) who do not undergo specialized multi-professional educational and behavioral intervention. Among the participants 57.36 % were under psychopharmacological intervention and 33.78 % were under a polypharmacy regimen. Typical antipsychotics were used for 35.4 % followed by atypical antipsychotics (27.43 %), antiseizure (19.47 %), and tricyclic antidepressants (7.08 %). The association of risperidone with valproic acid prevailed in 17.68 % of the sample. ASD levels 2 and 3, epilepsy and age were associated with a higher rate of psychopharmaceutical use. The present dataset can be used to investigate the rational use of medication in the ASD population to monitor potential adverse effects, and to compare with the ASD population across the world.