---
title: Ecopipam Effectively Suppresses Tic Symptoms
description: The investigational medication ecopipam can significantly reduce Tourette syndrome symptoms in children—and possibly adults—over 24 weeks.
---

[Psych News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org)

# [Ecopipam Effectively Suppresses Tic Symptoms](https://alert.psychnews.org/ecopipam-effectively-suppresses-tic-symptoms)

 Written by [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) | 5/26/26 6:01 PM

The investigational medication ecopipam can significantly reduce Tourette syndrome symptoms in children—and possibly adults—over 24 weeks, according to a clinical study [published today](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2849573) in *JAMA Neurology*.

 

**Why It’s Relevant**

Currently approved medications for Tourette-associated tics are the dopamine D2 receptor–targeting antipsychotics haloperidol, pimozide, and aripiprazole—all of which come with metabolic side effects that can be especially difficult for children. The anti-adrenergic medications clonidine and guanfacine are also prescribed off label, but the former can cause excess sedation while the latter isn’t particularly effective.

 

Ecopipam is a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist that has shown a good combination of efficacy and tolerability to date, including in a recent [Phase 2 clinical trial](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/151/2/e2022059574/190459/Ecopipam-for-Tourette-Syndrome-A-Randomized-Trial). This new Phase 3 study explored the effectiveness of maintenance ecopipam on tic relapse.

 

**By the Numbers**

- To start, 216 participants ages 6 and older received 12 weeks of open-label ecopipam (target dose of 1.8mg/kg per day). Those whose tic symptoms improved by at least 25% were randomized to continue ecopipam or switch to placebo for a further 12 weeks.
- During the randomized period, **youth (ages 6 to 18) continuing ecopipam were 53% less likely to experience symptom relapse **compared with those on placebo.
- **Adults taking ecopipam had a 49% reduced risk of relapse**, but the sample size (14 participants) was too small to demonstrate statistical significance.
- The most frequent side effects among participants taking ecopipam were **sleepiness (11%), anxiety (10%), and headache (10%)**. Side effects were generally mild to moderate and mainly occurred during the first 12 weeks.

**What’s More**

Ecopipam did not worsen any psychiatric symptoms among participants with comorbidities such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

 

**The Other Side**

In addition to having a limited number of adult participants, the study cohort had minimal racial and ethnic diversity. Further, some symptom relapses occurred during the 12-week open-label phase, which could affect ecopipam’s true efficacy rate.

 

**Takeaway Message**

“The safety profile of ecopipam is notable for the absence of clinically relevant weight gain, adverse metabolic effects, and drug-induced movement disorders,” the researchers wrote. Given the positive efficacy and safety findings from two randomized trials, they think that ecopipam could be a novel pharmacologic option for children, adolescents, and adults with Tourette syndrome.

 

**Related Information**

“[‘Outbreak’ of Sudden Tics Among Teen Girls Has Surprising Global Similarity](https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2022.06.4.19)”

 

**Source**

Donald L. Gilbert, et al. Efficacy and safety of ecopipam for Tourette syndrome: a phase 3 randomized clinical trial. *JAMA Neurology. *Published May 26, 2026. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2026.1431

 

(Image: Getty Images/iStock/Andrii Dodonov)

 

[View full post](https://alert.psychnews.org/ecopipam-effectively-suppresses-tic-symptoms)

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