Pharmaceutical care in the health of Autistic Spectrum disorder

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a series of neurological and behavioural complications that destabilize several characteristics of human development. Some patients require psychopharmacological treatment to control symptoms. When these drugs interfere negatively in quality of life, their use deserves special attention. The objective of this article was to verify the importance of the pharmaceutical professional in the monitoring of autistic children and adolescents in a group of autistics of the North of Minas Gerais Association of Support to the Autistic (ANDA). The pharmacotherapeutic profile was determined, and the incidence of medication-related problems was surveyed. For this, an anthropometric evaluation, blood glucose and cholesterol test and verification of adherence to treatment were performed. It was found that the monitoring of the autistic patient by the clinical pharmacist is of fundamental importance, focused on primary health care. The professional should monitor the appearance of dyslipidaemia and other metabolic disorders in autistic patients, especially those who use atypical antipsychotics and who have food selectivity, or motor dysfunction associated with autism.