Table 4 Pharmacological agents commonly used to treat fragile X syndrome
From: Phenotypic variability to medication management: an update on fragile X syndrome
Medication (Class of drugs) | Dose per day (Weight or age) | Target behaviors/issues | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
Metformin (biguanide antidiabetic) | 1000 mg (≤ 50 kg) 2000 mg (> 50 kg) | Social avoidance, low verbal and non-verbal IQ scores, aggression, macroorchidism | Nausea, diarrhea, headache, weight loss |
Sertraline (SSRIs) | 2.5–5.0 mg (2–6 y) 10–100 mg (> 6 y) | Anxiety, aggression, language development, social participation | Diarrhea, appetite loss, hyperhidrosis, tremor |
Minocycline (tetracycline antibiotics) | 2 mg (< 25 kg) 50 mg (25–45 kg) 100 mg (> 45 kg) | Mood dysregulation, anxiety | Nausea, diarrhea, headache, appetite loss, rash |
Lovastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) (statins) | 10–40 mg | Anxiety, poor sleep, seizures | Weakness, gastro-intestinal disorders, muscle pain, dizziness, headache, irritability |
Acamprosate (Psychiatry agents & GABA Analogs) | 1332 mg (≤ 50 kg) 1998 mg (> 50 kg) | Dysfunctional chemical signaling in the brain | Irritability, anxiety, major depressive disorder, diarrhea |
Cannabidiol (cannabinoids) | 500–1000 mg | Anxiety, epilepsy, cognitive impairment | Hepatic abnormalities, diarrhea, fatigue, vomiting, somnolence |