The treatment of Tourette's syndrome: current opinions.
Correct education of the patient is one of the most important aspects in the treatment of Tourette's syndrome. Pharmacotherapy is often unsatisfactory and therefore should be limited to those patients who are significantly impaired. Therapy must be individualised and the most troublesome symptom should be targeted first. In the treatment of tics, dopamine receptor blocking agents are currently the most effective drugs. It is currently unknown whether classic neuroleptics, such as pimozide, selective dopamine receptor antagonists, such as sulpiride, or newer atypical antipsychotics, such as risperidone, have the best adverse effect profile. Tiapride can be used as an alternative, particularly in children. Selective serotonin-re-uptake inhibitors are recommended for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive behaviour. In children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate, are the treatment of choice. Recent studies have provided increasing evidence that stimulants do not cause a significant increase in tics in the majority of patients.
Müller-Vahl
Kirsten R
KR
Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany. mueller-vahl.kirsten@mh-hannover.de
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D002186:Cannabinoids; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D018682:GABA Agents; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D001905:Botulinum Toxins