As Autism Treatment Becomes Elusive, Parents Turn to Generic Cancer Drug and Over-the-Counter Supplements
The Trump administration's promise of a potential autism treatment has sparked a frenzy among parents desperate for relief for their children, but experts warn that the solution may be more complicated than expected.
A cheap generic cancer drug called leucovorin, which was approved by the FDA in 1983 to ease chemotherapy side effects, has been touted as a possible cure-all for autism symptoms. However, its manufacturer has stated that it will not supply the medication at an affordable price, leaving many parents without access.
In a bid to find alternatives, some are turning to over-the-counter folic acid supplements, which were initially thought to be a suitable substitute. But experts caution that this is not the case. Dr Richard Frye, a pediatric neurologist who studied leucovorin's potential benefits for children with autism, warns that these supplements may do more harm than good.
According to Frye, folate is critical for brain development and research has found that some children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, have low levels in their brains. Leucovorin, a form of folate, bypasses this blockage and delivers the nutrient directly to the brain, potentially easing symptoms.
However, Frye emphasizes that leucovorin is not a miracle cure, but rather an experimental treatment with promising results. In a 2012 clinical trial, he found that about one-third of children with autism who took the drug showed significant improvements in speech and language.
Despite this, President Trump's endorsement of the medication has sparked misconceptions among parents. The Autism Science Foundation has stated that more studies are necessary before leucovorin can be considered a treatment for autism.
Meanwhile, some desperate parents have turned to folic acid supplements as a cheaper alternative, but Frye warns that these may not only fail to deliver results but potentially worsen symptoms. "Folic acid is good to a point," he notes, "but if you need higher doses of folate because of a folate deficiency or other metabolic issues, you can't use folic acid."
The case highlights the challenges faced by parents seeking treatment for their children's autism and the dangers of relying on unproven supplements. Experts stress that more research is needed before any new treatments are approved.
As one parent put it, "I just want my child to be able to talk and interact with others like other kids." Unfortunately, finding an effective and affordable solution remains elusive.
The Trump administration's promise of a potential autism treatment has sparked a frenzy among parents desperate for relief for their children, but experts warn that the solution may be more complicated than expected.
A cheap generic cancer drug called leucovorin, which was approved by the FDA in 1983 to ease chemotherapy side effects, has been touted as a possible cure-all for autism symptoms. However, its manufacturer has stated that it will not supply the medication at an affordable price, leaving many parents without access.
In a bid to find alternatives, some are turning to over-the-counter folic acid supplements, which were initially thought to be a suitable substitute. But experts caution that this is not the case. Dr Richard Frye, a pediatric neurologist who studied leucovorin's potential benefits for children with autism, warns that these supplements may do more harm than good.
According to Frye, folate is critical for brain development and research has found that some children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, have low levels in their brains. Leucovorin, a form of folate, bypasses this blockage and delivers the nutrient directly to the brain, potentially easing symptoms.
However, Frye emphasizes that leucovorin is not a miracle cure, but rather an experimental treatment with promising results. In a 2012 clinical trial, he found that about one-third of children with autism who took the drug showed significant improvements in speech and language.
Despite this, President Trump's endorsement of the medication has sparked misconceptions among parents. The Autism Science Foundation has stated that more studies are necessary before leucovorin can be considered a treatment for autism.
Meanwhile, some desperate parents have turned to folic acid supplements as a cheaper alternative, but Frye warns that these may not only fail to deliver results but potentially worsen symptoms. "Folic acid is good to a point," he notes, "but if you need higher doses of folate because of a folate deficiency or other metabolic issues, you can't use folic acid."
The case highlights the challenges faced by parents seeking treatment for their children's autism and the dangers of relying on unproven supplements. Experts stress that more research is needed before any new treatments are approved.
As one parent put it, "I just want my child to be able to talk and interact with others like other kids." Unfortunately, finding an effective and affordable solution remains elusive.
I feel so bad for these parents who are desperate for a cure for their autistic kids. The whole situation is just heartbreaking. It's unacceptable that a cheap generic cancer drug like leucovorin can't be made more affordable for them. And now they're turning to over-the-counter supplements, which experts warn may do more harm than good. Can't we just make sure that these children have access to proper treatment and research? 
It's not like the parents are asking for a miracle cure, just for their kids to be able to talk and interact with others. We need to put our money where our mouths are and fund more research on autism treatments, pronto! 
I feel so bad for these parents gotta deal with all this drama! Leucovorin is legit though 
But at the same time, we can't just give it to everyone like it's a magic pill 
. And folic acid supplements are straight trash 
my doctor told me about how they're not even close to what leucovorin does. Low-dose folic acid is one thing, but if you need more... idk, I just don't wanna risk messing up my kid's brain chemistry 
. Can we just get a real treatment already? Like, can we please have some answers from the Trump admin on this?! 
I'm so worried about these parents trying leucovorin and folic acid supplements for their autistic kids. They're not a replacement for proper treatment, trust me as a parent 
. We need more research and studies to find safe and effective treatments. These parents are just trying to find a way to help their kids, but they're getting caught up in misinformation and false hope 
. Can't we get some concrete answers instead of pie-in-the-sky promises from the government? 
. I feel bad for the parents who are desperate for a solution but don't know what to do. It's not like they're asking for much, just some relief from their child's symptoms 
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. We need to be kinder to ourselves, and to each other, as we navigate this complex issue 
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and don't even get me started on these folic acid supplements 
they're like buying lottery tickets thinking that's gonna fix your kid's brain development 
it's not that simple. we need more research and funding for autism treatment ASAP 
And what's up with the manufacturer not wanting to sell it at an affordable price? Like, isn't that kinda the point of treatment? 
I wish we could just wave a magic wand and make all the autism treatments work seamlessly and affordably... but until then, let's just hope we can get some reliable info out there 
and then try generic meds or OTC supplements without consulting docs first 
I'm all for parents being proactive about their kid's health, but we gotta be smart about it too 
and it's not right that its manufacturer won't supply it at an affordable price.
especially if you're not getting the right amount of folate in the first place. and what really gets me is that some parents are turning to over-the-counter supplements as a cheaper alternative - that's just not worth the risk.
. Until then, let's prioritize empathy, understanding, and evidence-based decision-making in our pursuit of finding answers