title: A case series of aripiprazole augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment-refractory obsessive compulsive disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients refractory to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antipsychotics, such as risperidone, or olanzapine have been found effective in the augmentation of SSRIs. However these atypical antipsychotics may cause a number of safety concerns associated with body weight or metabolic changes. We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of a novel atypical neuroleptic aripiprazole as an augmenting agent for the treatment-resistant OCD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients who had previously been assessed as poorer responders (<10% reduction of Y-BOCS) to both adequate SSRI monotherapy such as fluvoxamine or paroxetine and the subsequent atypical antipsychotic augmentation of SSRIs were included in this study. The addition of aripiprazole to ongoing SSRIs was continued for at least 12 weeks in the subjects except for one who dropped out during the period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean maximum daily dosage of aripiprazole in the completers was 10.9 ± 3.4 mg/day. Seven of 10 completers exhibited significant reduction of Y-BOCS (>35%) accompanying a few adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study supports the notion that adding aripiprazole to SSRIs could be a valid and effective strategy for treatment-resistant OCD patients. Thus it points towards the need of further controlled and longitudinal studies.
authors: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan. hisa1311@hyo-med.ac.jp
authors: Hisato
authors: H
authors: Matsunaga
authors: Kazuhisa
authors: K
authors: Hayashida
authors: Kensei
authors: K
authors: Maebayashi
authors: Hironori
authors: H
authors: Mito
authors: Nobuo
authors: N
authors: Kiriike
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors