title: Bupropion for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label, fixed-dose study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we examined the efficacy of bupropion for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with OCD according to DSM-IV criteria were included in an open trial with bupropion, maximum dosage 300 mg per day, during 8 weeks. The primary efficacy parameter was the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). A responder was defined by a reduction in score on the YBOCS of > or = 25%. Data were collected from February 2003 to July 2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An intent-to-treat analysis using the last observation carried forward demonstrated that bupropion had no mean effect on OCD symptoms (mean YBOCS decrease was 1.1 +/- 9.6). Four patients improved, with a mean decrease on the YBOCS of 31%, and 2 of them met responder rate criteria. Eight patients experienced an exacerbation of OCD symptoms, with a mean increase on the YBOCS of 21%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bupropion is not an effective treatment for OCD, but the bimodal distribution of the effect supports the notion that dopamine might be involved in the pathophysiology of OCD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht, the Netherlands. N.C.C.vulink@azu.nl
authors.forename: Nienke C C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Vulink
authors.forename: Damiaan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Denys
authors.forename: Herman G M
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Westenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion; D004298:Dopamine