Haloperidol, fluphenazine and clonidine in Tourette syndrome: controversies in treatment.
The value of haloperidol, fluphenazine and clonidine as therapeutic agents for Tourette's syndrome was retrospectively reviewed. Haloperidol improved tic symptoms in 50/60 patients, but side effects often nullified these benefits. Fluphenazine was an effective drug for tic suppression in 24/31 patients. Direct comparison of these drugs in 23 patients confirmed the efficacy of fluphenazine and showed it to produce fewer adverse effects than haloperidol. Clonidine was helpful in 47% and caused few side effects. These results support the use of clonidine for the treatment of tics and suggest that fluphenazine can be considered an alternative to other neuroleptic drugs.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006220:Haloperidol; D003000:Clonidine; D005476:Fluphenazine