Steroid hormones and Tourette's syndrome: early experience with antiandrogen therapy

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1994 Apr;14(2):131-5.

Abstract

We report here the first use in Tourette's syndrome of the nonsteroidal androgen receptor blocking agent flutamide. One man and one woman underwent open trials of the medication, and a second man participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. Improvement in tic symptoms ranged from 45 to 60%. The improvement was sustained in the woman during daily flutamide use and in one man during its intermittent use. One man's symptoms became refractory to treatment after 5 weeks of flutamide use, whereas the woman became depressed and had protracted diarrhea during her treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Flutamide / adverse effects
  • Flutamide / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tourette Syndrome / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Flutamide