Treatment of Pediatric Movement Disorders

Medication: Clonidine

Clonidine (Catapres®) was originally developed as a medicine to treat high blood pressure. Subsequently, it was found to be useful for treating childhood behavioral disorders, including attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and tics. Although clonidine is not always as effective for treating tics as are the neuroleptics, the side effects of clonidine are much less serious. Therefore, this medication is often attempted first. Clonidine is available as pills or a patch for a more continuous administration through the skin. The major side effects are drowsiness and dizziness, and in some children, it may cause a drop in blood pressure.

	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)