Fluvoxamine in the treatment of compulsive buying.
BACKGROUND
The authors report the results of an open trial of fluvoxamine in the treatment of compulsive buying.


METHODS
Ten nondepressed subjects were recruited through word-of-mouth and rnet restrictive inclusion/exclusion criteria. Subjects were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for compulsive buying, the Clinical Global Impression scale, and other measures. After a single-blind 1-week placebo run-in, subjects received fluvoxamine up to 300 mg daily for 9 weeks.


RESULTS
Nine of 10 subjects improved and were less preoccupied with shopping, spent less time shopping, and reported spending less money.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that compulsive buyers can be recruited for research and their symptoms measured and monitored and, finally, that fluvoxamine may be effective in its treatment.
Black
D W
DW
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242-1000, USA.
Monahan
P
P
Gabel
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D018579:Patient Selection; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016666:Fluvoxamine