olanzapine and Tics

We reviewed articles in English dealing with research into the effect of atypical antipsychotic drugs on tic reduction in Tourette's syndrome. In Denmark, there are four registered atypical antipsychotic drugs; clozapine, sulpiride, olanzapine, and risperidone. The topic of interest is the effectiveness and side effects of these drugs as compared to the conventional antipsychotic, pimozide, which is today the preferred pharmacological treatment of Tourette's syndrome among the antipsychotics. The conclusion is that risperidone would be a good first-line antipsychotic drug for the treatment of Tourette's syndrome. It is as effective as pimozide, its side effect profile is overall much more favourable, and unlike pimozide it does not contain the risk of causing heart arrhythmia.

Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Clozapine; Dopamine Antagonists; Humans; Olanzapine; Pirenzepine; Risperidone; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin Antagonists; Sulpiride; Tics; Tourette Syndrome

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of olanzapine on aggressive behaviour and tic severity in children with Tourette's Syndrome (TS).. Ten (10) subjects (aged 7-13 years) with a primary diagnosis of TS and a history of aggressive behaviour were treated in a single-blind, 2-week placebo run-in, 8-week treatment phase trial. The starting dose of olanzapine was 1.25-2.5 mg/day and was titrated at biweekly intervals, as tolerated. The mean dosage at the end of the trial was 14.5 mg/day.. All 10 subjects completed the study. Olanzapine produced clinically and statistically significant reductions of aggression and tic severity from baseline to trial completion, as measured by the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). Weight gain during the treatment period was the most common adverse effect (range 2-20 lbs: group mean 12.0 lbs +/- 5.71). No other significant adverse effects were observed during the 10-week trial.. The results of this trial confirm clinical observations that olanzapine may be an effective treatment for aggression and tics in children with Tourette's syndrome. Olanzapine was generally well tolerated, although significant weight gain was observed throughout the trial.

Topics: Adolescent; Affect; Aggression; Antipsychotic Agents; Anxiety; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Benzodiazepines; Child; Family; Female; Humans; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Olanzapine; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Single-Blind Method; Social Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tics; Tourette Syndrome; Weight Gain

Topics: Adolescent; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; Antipsychotic Agents; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Benzodiazepines; Humans; Male; Olanzapine; Propylamines; Schizophrenia; Tics

Olanzapine had been reported to be effective in the control of tics in a few adult female patients who had a short follow-up period. The author reports the successful outcome of long-term olanzapine treatment in an adult woman with severe Tourette syndrome.. A 33-year-old woman who had severe motor and vocal tics (Modified Rush Videotape Rating Scale: 17/20) showed an excellent response to olanzapine 10 mg/day within 2 months. Her tic symptoms were well controlled with gradual reduction of her dose of olanzapine to 2.5 mg/day during the following 8 years. She was symptom-free without medications in the past 2 years. In addition, she had a normal menstrual cycle and became pregnant during the period of olanzapine treatment.. Olanzapine may be the drug of first choice for treating severe Tourette syndrome in pubescent female adolescents and young women who wish to have children.

Topics: Adult; Benzodiazepines; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Olanzapine; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Severity of Illness Index; Tics; Tourette Syndrome

Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Female; Haloperidol; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Olanzapine; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Tics

Although there only have been a limited number of double-blind, placebo controlled trials, antipsychotics are considered to be effective drugs for the treatment of tics in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). Evidence concerning the efficacy of olanzapine and other atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of tics in GTS is growing, but still limited. Little is known about the use of olanzapine in adult GTS patients and about its effect on comorbid behavioural problems. We report on the use of olanzapine in a 25-year old male GTS patient with comorbid obsessive-compulsive behaviours, who was treated with olanzapine. Tic severity was rated using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (Y-GTSS). Comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Both scales were performed at admission and after 4 weeks of treatment with olanzapine. Treatment with olanzapine (20 mg) resulted not only in a fast reduction of tic severity and frequency, but also in a reduction of obsessive-compulsive behaviours.. This case report further supports the available literature on the use of olanzapine as a therapeutic strategy for tics in GTS and draws attention to its possible use for comorbid behavioural disorders. Further research of antipsychotics in GTS should include measurements of comorbid behavioural symptom clusters.

Topics: Adult; Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Comorbidity; Humans; Male; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Olanzapine; Tics; Tourette Syndrome