Comparison of clonidine response in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with and without comorbid tic disorders

Clonidine has been suggested as an alternative pharmacotherapy for patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid tic disorders. To examine the efficacy of clonidine in this population of children, the use of clonidine in the treatment of children with ADHD with and without comorbid tic disorders was examined in a retrospective chart review of 54 children over a 4-year period.

Treatment was administered openly to these patients in a Pediatric Psychopharmacology Clinic, and response was assessed using clinical global improvement measures.

Clonidine treatment resulted in improvement in both the ADHD (39/54; 72%) and tic symptoms (18/24; 75%) groups. The findings suggested that the children with ADHD with comorbid tic disorders (23/24; 96%) have a more frequent positive behavioral response to clonidine than children with ADHD without comorbid tic disorders (16/30; 53%).

This report provides further support of a role for clonidine in the treatment of children with ADHD, particularly for those with comorbid tic disorders.