A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of antipsychotic medications to assess their comparative efficacy and tolerability in autistic people

BackgroundA high proportion of autistic people receive off-license antipsychotic medication, often in the absence of a mental illness, primarily for behaviours that challenge, which is a public health concern. Although meta-analyses have been published recently, there is a lack of a comprehensive network meta-analysis to inform clinicians about the relative efficacy and safety of antipsychotic medications. AimsTo conduct a network meta-analysis of available RCTs of antipsychotic medications involving autistic participants to assess the relative efficacy of different antipsychotics and their adverse effects. MethodWe searched seven databases and hand-searched ten relevant journals. Two author