[Efficacy of clonidine transdermal patch for treatment of Tourette's syndrome in children]

Author(s): Kang H, Zhang YF, Jiao FY, Guo XY, Gao XM

Affiliation(s): Department of Pediatrics, Shaanxi Province People's Hospital, Xi'an 710068, China.

Publication date & source: 2009-07, Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi., 11(7):537-9.

Publication type: English Abstract; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Children with Tourette's syndrome (TS) have a poor treatment compliance due to side effects and inconvenient administration of oral drugs. This study explored the efficacy and safety of clonidine transdermal patch for treating TS in children. METHODS: A total of 119 children with TS were randomly treated with the clonidine transdermal patch (n=65) or with oral haloperidol (n=54). The therapeutic efficacy was assessed based on the results of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The clonidine transdermal patch group showed a higher reduction in the overall tic symptom scores (61.5+/-7.5%) than that in the haloperidol group (41.0+/-6.3%; p<0.05). Clonidine transdermal patch treatment was effective in 53 patients (81.5%) and 36 patients (67.5%) showed effective to oral haloperidol (p>0.05). Mild side effects (decrease of blood pressure and dizziness) were observed in 1 patient in the clonidine transdermal patch group. Mild hypermyotonia, drowsiness or lassitude as side effects occurred in 6 patients in the haloperidol group. CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine transdermal patch is effective for the treatment of TS in children and its side effects are mild and rare.