Bupropion for amphetamine withdrawal syndrome.

This study was a case report of an amphetamine abuser who came to see doctor because of amphetamine withdrawal syndrome three days after stopping prolonged use of amphetamine. The patient was treated him with a slow-release bupropion at the dose of 150 mg per day. After taking bupropion, his withdrawal symptoms i.e. dysphoric mood, fatigue, somnolence, and psychomotor retardation gradually disappeared within two to three days. Moreover, his craving for amphetamines was absent. The authors discussed the possible application for the clinical use for amphetamine abusers or dependence.

Quetiapine for tic disorder: a case report.

Tic disorders happen in nearly 20 per cent of children. There is no "best drug" to treat this illness. Potent antipsychotics e.g. haloperidol and pimozide, are the most effective drugs but their limitations are their extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). Risperidone has been proved on efficacy for tic disorders but EPS still remain, even though it was claimed to be less. Thus, quetiapine, a newer atypical neuroleptic with the same action as risperidone and produces fewer EPS, was included in this study. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and side effects of quetiapine in tic disorders. METHOD: A case report of a 19-year-old female patient with tic disorder who had taken haloperidol 2 mg/d with benzhexol HCl 2-4 mg/d, then switched to risperidone 1.5 mg/d with benzhexol HCl 4 mg/d because of acute dystonia and oculogyric. She was then prescribed quetiapine, 50 mg/d as a starting dose without benzhexol HCI, because of the remaining symptoms and EPS. The severity of the symptoms was assessed monthly using the Behavior Rating Scale. The dose was increased by 50 mg/d weekly for a better outcome. RESULTS: The tic was improved after the first week and disappeared for three weeks with 150 mg/d of quetiapine. However, the tic returned again, but less frequently (20%). Thus, the dose was stepped up to 200 mg/d. One week later, the patient reported that the tic has disappeared. CONCLUSION: Quetiapine showed the efficacy and fewest EPS in this patient. However, a further clinically controlled trial must be carried out before quetiapine can become the first-line treatment for tic disorders.