Deprescribing in a Youth with an Intellectual Disability, Autism, Behavioural Problems, and Medication-Related Obesity: A Case Study

Vlad, not his real name, a 15 year old boy with an autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, was referred for psychiatric consultation due to aggression and other behavioural problems. He presented for initial psychiatric consultation on five psychotropic medications with associated severe obesity. A systematic deprescribing and cross-tapering plan was implemented, removing all five psychotropic medications (which included olanzapine and quetiapine) and introducing ziprasidone. These changes were associated with a 44.8kg weight loss with no behavioral deterioration and overall lower rates of aggression. Vlad's case may typify important deficiencies in the service system which create a context that allows for aggressive psychotropic polypharmacy without apparent concomitant increase in sophistication of behavioral management design and support, while also tolerating substantial treatment adverse effects (e.g., medication induced severe obesity) within a member of a vulnerable population (e.g., a youth with developmental disability in care). Suggestions to address some of these contextual factors are outlined.