Pharmacologic Treatment of Comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Tourette and Tic Disorders

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2022 Jul;31(3):469-477. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2022.03.004. Epub 2022 May 11.

Abstract

A complete and comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation is necessary to delineate tic symptoms from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and to prioritize the most problematic symptoms for intervention. Stimulants are the recommended first-line pharmacotherapy to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in patients with tic disorders. Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics is an effective behavioral therapy that is generally considered the first-line treatment of persistent tic disorders. α-Agonists can be added to stimulants if tics increase or be used as monotherapy to target attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and tics. Atomoxetine is also an excellent option to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and tics.

Keywords: ADHD; Stimulants; Tics; Tourette; α-Agonists.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atomoxetine Hydrochloride / therapeutic use
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / drug therapy
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / epidemiology
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants* / therapeutic use
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Tic Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Tic Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Tics* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Atomoxetine Hydrochloride