Atypical antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of delusional parasitosis.
BACKGROUND
Delusional parasitosis (DP) is a rare delusional disorder in which patients believe that they are infected with parasites, worms, insects, or bacteria. Antipsychotics are the preferred treatment in these patients.


METHODS
Case series in which we summarize six patients with DP treated with atypical antipsychotic medications including amisulpride, olanzapine, and risperidone.


RESULTS
One patient had a myocardial infarction after being given amisulpride, and several patients did not adjust well. Parenterally administered antipsychotics, particularly risperidone, were the most effective treatment in this series of patients with DP.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with DP can be difficult to treat; however, parenterally administered antipsychotics appear to produce better results in these patients.
Mercan
Sibel
S
Sisli Etfal Research and Teaching Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. rmercan@superonline.com
Altunay
Ilknur Kivanc
IK
Taskintuna
Nilgun
N
Ogutcen
Ozgur
O
Kayaoğlu
Semra
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine