Clonidine adhesive patch for the treatment of tic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clonidine adhesive patch for tic disorders (TDs).

Medline, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled trials and Chinese databases of CBM, CNKI were searched from inception to 08.2016 for randomized controlled studies (RCTs), open-label control studies of clonidine adhesive patch versus other medications or/and placebo for TDs. The cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used to guide our study.

Six studies involving 1145 participants were included in this study. Among these studies, two study (N = 513 patients) used placebo as a control and four studies (N = 632 patients) used positive drug controls. The results of meta-analysis suggested that clonidine adhesive patch may be as effective as haloperidol or tiapride for TDs. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in all studies, and the most common AEs of clonidine adhesive patch were rash (8.9%), lightheadedness (8.0%), dry mouth (4.0%). The AEs of clonidine adhesive patch were slight.

These data provide moderate quality evidence that clonidine adhesive patch might be an effective and safe treatment option for TDs, and results from further trials are urgently needed to extend the evidence base.