Which of the following medication classes are efficacious in the management of tics?
The answer is B. The only medications that have FDA approval for management of tics are haloperidol and pimozide, however atypical antipsychotics have also been shown to be beneficial. There is also evidence for the role of alpha-2 agonists (clonidine and guanfacine), although they are slightly less efficacious than antipsychotics. Because of the burden of antipsychotic related side effects, the Practice Parameter Group of the Tourette Syndrome Association recommends initiating treatment with an alpha-2 agonist and reserving antipsychotics for refractory cases.