Olanzapine augmentation of serotonin uptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open study.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the clinical response to olanzapine used in association with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or clomipramine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).


METHODS
We describe the cases of 9 patients with serotonin uptake inhibitor-resistant OCD who were given an open-label adjunctive treatment of olanzapine for a minimum of 6 weeks. The response was assessed by using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI).


RESULTS
Six patients showed improvement of symptoms after the augmentation with olanzapine. One patient (treated with clomipramine) discontinued olanzapine due to side effects, and another 2 did not respond.


CONCLUSIONS
Olanzapine augmentation of SSRIs in treating OCD showed a good (two-thirds) response rate, and it could therefore be considered as a treatment option when conventional therapies have failed.
Francobandiera
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, Center for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Morbegno, Italy. giofran@katamail.com
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002997:Clomipramine; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors