Olanzapine augmentation of fluvoxamine-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): a 12-week open trial

Psychiatry Res. 2000 Oct 30;96(2):91-8. doi: 10.1016/s0165-1781(00)00203-1.

Abstract

A few studies have tried antipsychotic augmentation in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients who are non-responders to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine addition to fluvoxamine-refractory OCD patients and to assess if a comorbid chronic tic disorder or a concomitant schizotypal personality disorder was associated with response. Twenty-three OCD non-responders to a 6-month, open-label trial with fluvoxamine (300 mg/day) entered a 3-month open-label trial of augmentation with olanzapine (5 mg/day). OC symptom change was measured with the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale. Differences between responders and non-responders were assessed with regard to age, sex, duration of illness, baseline Y-BOCS score, and comorbidity with chronic tic disorders or schizotypal personality disorder. A significant decrease of mean Y-BOCS score between pre- and post-treatment (26. 8+/-3.0 vs. 18.9+/-5.9) was found at endpoint. Ten patients (43.5%) were rated as responders. The most common side effects were mild to moderate weight gain and sedation. In our sample, three patients (13. 04%) had a chronic motor tic disorder, and four (17.39%) had a codiagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. Concomitant schizotypal personality disorder was the only factor significantly associated with response. It appears that augmentation of olanzapine in fluvoxamine-refractory OCD may be effective in a large number of patients, including those with comorbid schizotypal personality disorder.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Comorbidity
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fluvoxamine / administration & dosage*
  • Fluvoxamine / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology
  • Olanzapine
  • Pirenzepine / administration & dosage
  • Pirenzepine / adverse effects
  • Pirenzepine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / drug therapy
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Tic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Tic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Tic Disorders / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Pirenzepine
  • Olanzapine
  • Fluvoxamine