Pharmacotherapy of Tourette's syndrome and associated disorders

Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by multiform motor and phonic tics. Conditions that are commonly associated with TS include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Medications used to treat tics include haloperidol, pimozide, and clonidine. Symptoms of ADHD may respond to clonidine or desipramine. Specific serotonin uptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine or clomipramine, are used in the treatment of OCD symptoms. The decision to use medication and the monitoring of its impact require careful assessment of the child's overall development and not only the presence of tic symptoms.