Tourette syndrome

Overview

Three supplements have been studied for Tourette syndrome, all with low evidence ratings. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) at up to 1200 mg twice daily for 12 weeks did not improve tics or related symptoms in children compared with placebo. Taurine may help reduce tics in children on low-dose tiapride, with about one in six showing significant improvement in one study.

Theanine combined with vitamin B6 reduced tic severity over two months in one small study of children with tic disorders and anxiety, though anxiety did not improve. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for more detail.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Theanine	★★★★★	Low
Taurine	★★★★★	Low
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)	★★★★★	Very Low / None

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

3 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

TaurineView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taurine supplements may help reduce tics in children with Tourette syndrome who are taking low doses (300 mg or less) of the medication tiapride.
One study found that adding taurine helped about one in six children improve their tics significantly compared to tiapride alone.

Browse 1 study

RCTSafety and efficacy of taurine as an add-on treatment for tics in youngsters2020

In 404 youngsters with tics, taurine add-on therapy was safe and associated with tic symptom improvement versus baseline in this clinical study.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Population: Children/adolescents

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TheanineView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

One small study in children with tic disorders and anxiety showed that taking a liquid supplement with L-theanine and vitamin B6 daily for 2 months reduced tic severity but did not improve anxiety compared to receiving education about their condition.
The study might have been too small to find differences in anxiety.

Browse 1 study

RCTUse of Nutritional Supplements Based on L-Theanine and Vitamin B6 in Children with Tourette Syndrome, with Anxiety Disorders: A Pilot Study2022n=34

An open-label RCT of 34 children with Tourette syndrome found that L-theanine plus vitamin B6 was more effective than psychoeducation for reducing tics and co-occurring anxiety symptoms.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 200 mg/day
Population: Children/adolescents
Participants: 34
Ages: 4–17

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N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)View supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

In children aged 8 to 17, a study found that taking N-acetylcysteine (NAC), starting with 600 mg twice a day for 2 weeks then 1200 mg twice a day for 10 weeks, did not help improve tics or related symptoms like OCD, ADHD, anxiety, or depression compared to a placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTN-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Pediatric Tourette Syndrome: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Add-On Trial2016

A 12-week double-blind add-on RCT found NAC did not significantly reduce tic severity in pediatric Tourette syndrome versus placebo.