A case of tic improvement following tipepidine administration in a boy with Tourette syndrome comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is defined by motor and vocal tics that begin in childhood and persist for over a year. TS causes difficulties in daily life and lowers self-esteem, yet pharmacological treatment options for TS remain limited. Tipepidine, administered in this case report, is generally used as a safe and inexpensive cough suppressant. Recent studies have suggested that tipepidine may improve symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the clinical course of a boy with TS, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in whom the addition of tipepidine to aripiprazole was associated with improvement in both motor and vocal tics. The patient had tried several antipsychotics before he was prescribed tipepidine. However, the effectiveness of those drugs was temporary, and the patient experienced tolerability issues such as drowsiness. The addition of tipepidine was well tolerated, and the improvement in tic symptoms was maintained during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that adjunctive tipepidine may be well tolerated and associated with sustained improvement in motor and vocal tics during long-term follow-up in a patient with TS receiving aripiprazole.