Conventional Approach to Tourette Syndrome Treatment

Tourette Syndrome has now been offered various types of treatment options. The most conventional one is pharmacotherapy or the use of medication as treatment. The medications are used to target specific symptoms of Tourette syndrome and its co-occuring disorders. There are a lot of new medications coming out that proved to be effective in treating medications, there are also cases where 2 or more medications are being taken concurrently. This kind of therapy often makes drugs more effective. But we all need to also consider that these drugs are effective but can also exaserbate certain symptoms of Tourette syndrome.

MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE TICS
• Neuroleptics (tranquilisers): They counteract dopamine over-activity by blocking dopamine receptors.

Clonidine (Dixarit, Catapress)
Haloperidol (Haldol, Dozic, Serenace)
Pimozide (Orap)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Mellaril
Navane
Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
Sulpiride (Dolmatil, Sulparex, Sulpitil)
Clonazepam (Rivotril)

Side effects: Patients need to be monitored carefully, there is a risk that they may develop an involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. Other side effects include drooling, contraction of the facial and neck muscles, slow movement (bradykinesia), restlessness, tremors, fatigue, depression, anxiety, weight gain, irritability, dizziness, headaches, and insomnia. • Botulinum toxin (BTX)Tiny amounts of this chemical poison, which comes from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, were found to temporarily paralyse muscles and nerves. BTX has therefore been used as a treatment option for cerebral palsy and dystonia. In Tourette, it is injected into the muscles involved in tics.

MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE TENDENCIES
• Antidepressants: These drugs increase the concentration of serotonin within the central nervous system and enhance serotonin's neurotransmission activities.

Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Paroxetine (Seroxat)
Effexor
Lithobid
Norpramin)
Paxil
Tofranil
Wellbutrin

Side effects: Drowsiness, blurred vision and nausea.

MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER TENDENCIES
• Stimulants

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - See our fact sheet on Ritalin
Pemoline (Cylert)
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

Side effects: They may increase tics, cause tremors and reduce appetite.
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Henry Spink Foundation