To compare the tic suppression, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, weight gain, and side effect profiles of pimozide versus risperidone in children and adolescents with tic disorders.

This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover (evaluable patient analysis) study. Nineteen children aged 7 to 17 years with Tourette’s or chronic motor tic disorder were randomized to 4 weeks of treatment with pimozide or risperidone, followed by the alternate treatment after a 2-week placebo washout. The primary efficacy outcome measure was change in tic severity assessed by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). ECG results, weight gain, and side effects were also compared.

Compared to pimozide treatment, risperidone treatment was associated with significantly lower tic severity scores (YGTSS: baseline 43.3 ± 17.5, pimozide 34.2 ± 14.2, risperidone 25.2 ± 13.6; p = .05). Weight gain during the 4-week treatment periods was greater for risperidone (mean 1.9 kg) than pimozide (1.0 kg). No patient suffered a serious adverse event, but 6 of 19 subjects failed to complete the protocol. Neither medication was associated with ECG changes.

In this study, risperidone appeared superior to pimozide for tic suppression but was associated with greater weight gain.