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Pimozide for tics in Tourette's syndrome.
Tamara Pringsheim1, Connie Marras
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital, C4-431, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, AB T3B 6A8. tmprings@ucalgary.ca
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 17, 2009
Summary
Pimozide effectively treats Tourette Syndrome tics compared to placebo but may have more side effects. It is less effective than haloperidol and similar to risperidone, necessitating further research on long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Traditional Tourette Syndrome treatment involves D-2 receptor blocking neuroleptics like pimozide.
- Concerns over side effects are reducing the use of older neuroleptics.
- Newer atypical neuroleptics are available, but pimozide's comparative efficacy is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and harms of pimozide versus placebo or other medications for Tourette Syndrome tics.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized, double-blind controlled trials comparing pimozide to placebo or other drugs.
- Searched Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for relevant studies.
- Included parallel group and crossover studies of children and adults.
Main Results:
- Six trials (162 participants) were included, comparing pimozide to placebo, haloperidol, or risperidone.
- Pimozide showed superiority over placebo but with more side effects in one study.
- Pimozide was inferior to haloperidol in one trial, with fewer side effects, and showed no difference compared to risperidone.
Conclusions:
- Pimozide is effective for Tourette Syndrome tics, but evidence is limited.
- Longer trials (≥6 months) are needed to compare pimozide with atypical neuroleptics.
- Standardized outcome measures like Yale Global Tic Severity Scale are recommended for future studies.
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