Ondansetron treatment in patients with Tourette's syndrome.

Abstract

Ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3 antagonist, may lower mesolimbic dopaminergic hyperactivity. The present open-label pilot study evaluated the effect of ondansetron in Tourette's syndrome. Six Tourette's syndrome men aged 14-48 years resistant to haloperidol participated in the study. Assessments included the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), and Tourette's syndrome-Clinical Global Impression (TS-CGI) scale. The maximal ondansetron dosage (8-16 mg per day) was given for 3 weeks. Ondansetron treatment was associated with a significant decrease in the severity of tics. Two patients showed a definite response (score improvement of 40% or more), and two showed a probable response (> 25%). Two patients did not improve. Side-effects were transient and included abdominal pain (n = 5) and constipation (n = 2). Ondansetron may possess anti-tic effects in some Tourette's syndrome patients.

• Authors: P Toren, N Laor, D J Cohen, L Wolmer, A Weizman
• Journal: International clinical psychopharmacology (Int Clin Psychopharmacol) Vol. 14 Issue 6 Pg. 373-6 (Nov 1999) ISSN: 0268-1315 [Print] England
• PMID: 10565805 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Antagonists
• Ondansetron

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Ondansetron (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Pilot Projects
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Serotonin Antagonists (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Tourette Syndrome (complications, drug therapy, psychology)