Drug Treatment for Tics
- Tourette-syndrome.com states that patients who were given a nicotine patch to wear showed a reduction in tics. In 2000, the FDA approved its usage for the treatment of tics.
- In individuals with powerful tics, anti-psychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, are effective, but they can have negative side effects, according to BBC Health.
- Dopamine blockers are the most widely used medications for tics. They work by blocking or preventing a small amount of dopamine to be present in the brain.
- Benzodiazepams can be used to treat tics, although their sedating qualities and potential for addiction make them a last resort.
- High blood pressure medication is also used to treat tics, but it creates health issues for many patients because they lower blood pressure, which may be an undesirable effect in some.
- A qualified physician and a heavy dose of education are the most effective treatments for tics.