Drug and non-drug treatments of children with ADHD and tic disorders
Abstract
Objective To review the treatment of ADHD in children with chronic tic disorders.Background Tic disorders are relatively common in school-age children and range from mild to severe. Children with mild tics may not require medication for the treatment of tics. The co-occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior are common in children with tic disorders and may be associated with significant morbidity.Methods We conducted a literature search to identify reports of tics as an adverse effect to stimulant medication, the treatment of children with ADHD and tics as well as novel treatments that have been proposed for the treatment of ADHD in children with tic disorders.Results The preponderance of evidence suggests that stimulant medications are safe and effective in the treatment of children with ADHD and tic disorders. A minority of children with tic disorders may show a worsening of tics or not tolerate stimulants for other reasons. The growing list of non-stimulants provides options for clinicians and parents of these children.Conclusions Treatment planning for children with ADHD and tic disorders involves careful discussion with parents on choosing the best course of action. Stimulants should be part of this discussion. More study is needed on non-pharmacological approaches to the treatment of tics and ADHD in this population.
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A recent meta-analysis indicated that treating ADHD in children with tic disorders is safe and effective.
“A recent meta-analysis indicated that treating ADHD in children with tic disorders is safe and effective [276,277].”
From European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD (2010) · cites this paper as [277]
Several physician's desk references and drug administration mandates still note a contraindication for the use of stimulants in patients with tic disorders, and even in those with only a family history of tics.
“Several physician’s desk references and drug administration mandates still note a contraindication for the use of stimulants in patients with TD [110, 121]; and even in those with only a family history of tics.”
From European guidelines on managing adverse effects of medication for ADHD (2011) · cites this paper as [110]
This exacerbation, if it occurs, is fully reversible after stimulant withdrawal or dose reduction.
“This exacerbation, if it occurs, is fully reversible after stimulant withdrawal or dose reduction [104, 110].”
From European guidelines on managing adverse effects of medication for ADHD (2011) · cites this paper as [110]
In controlled studies of atomoxetine, its impact on tics was either not different from placebo or even showed some positive effect on tic frequency.
“In the controlled studies of atomoxetine, its impact on tics was either not different from placebo or even showed some positive effect on tic frequency [8, 110, 135].”
From European guidelines on managing adverse effects of medication for ADHD (2011) · cites this paper as [110]
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References 122 · Cited by 37
- Authors
- Poncin, Y., Sukhodolsky, D. G., McGuire, J., & Scahill, L.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Venue
- European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Published
- 2007-05-15
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- S1
- Pages
- 78-88
- ISSN
- 1018-8827 (ISSN-L)
- 1435-165X
- OpenAlex
- W2127613779
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 122
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 12 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Stuttering Research and Treatment
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, children, stimulant medication, non-stimulant medication, non-pharmacological treatment, disruptive behavior, treatment planning
- MeSH terms
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Antidepressive Agents, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Humans, Tic Disorders, Comorbidity, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
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