title: Risperidone addition in serotonin reuptake inhibitor-resistant trichotillomania: three cases.
abstract: Open-label addition of a low-dose typical (pimozide) neuroleptic was shown to be beneficial in some patients with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI)-refractory trichotillomania (TTM). Risperidone's potentially more benign acute and long-term side effect profile makes it a candidate for investigation in the treatment of TTM. We report our experience with the systematic addition of open-label risperidone 0.5 to 3 mg/day in three patients with SRI-refractory TTM. All three patients had a robust decrease in hair pulling as measured by clinician-rated instruments. These results suggest that risperidone addition to ongoing treatment with SRIs may be an effective treatment strategy for patients with SRI-refractory TTM.
authors.affiliation: Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities Connecticut Mental Health Center and Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven 06519, USA.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Epperson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fasula
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wasylink
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDougle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D018967:Risperidone; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors