Treatment and Prevention
Tourette's syndrome isn't preventable because it's genetically inherited.
People should never force a child to stop showing the symptoms of Tourette's,
as this is a form of punishment for a condition the child cannot control. Most
people with Tourette's need no treatment. A minor tic is not a medical problem,
and in any case it's likely to go away later in life.
If the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome are making your child miserable,
or interfering with school or social life, there are medications that can help:
- Haloperidol* is the main medication used for Tourette's syndrome, and is
very effective in controlling tics. Side effects include slow movement, fatigue,
and occasionally drooling, muscle rigidity, and tremor. Other medications
can be prescribed to counteract these effects.
- Pimozide is a similar medication, used for children who aren't doing well
with haloperidol.
- Clonidine sometimes helps control tics and has fewer side effects than the
medications listed above.
- Thioridazine helps to control anxiety and may reduce tics somewhat.
- Clomipramine treats obsessive-compulsive behavior.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, sertraline,
fluvoxamine, and paroxetine, help with compulsions and depression.
- Risperidone may help with obsessive compulsive behaviors.
Many children with Tourette's syndrome also have attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder. There is some concern that the medications given for this condition
can increase tics. In fact, Tourette's syndrome is sometimes discovered when
these medications make an existing tic more noticeable. However, recent studies
have shown that medications can be used successfully to treat ADHD in children
with Tourette's syndrome. If your child suffers from both disorders, you should
talk with your doctor about which symptoms are most interfering with a happy,
productive life, and choose treatments accordingly.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.