| Abstract | The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of high-dose escitalopram in patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In an open-label, 16-week prospective study, patients with OCD received escitalopram at a dose of 20 mg/day for 3 weeks, after a 1-week titration at 10 mg/day. Patients who did not achieve a > or =25% reduction from baseline in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score during these 4 weeks were continued on higher doses of escitalopram (maximum 50 mg/day) for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy measure of OCD symptoms was change from baseline in the Y-BOCS score. Overall, 67 patients (33 women, 34 men) with a mean Y-BOCS score of 29.6 entered the study. After 4 weeks of standard-dose escitalopram treatment, one patient discontinued owing to pregnancy, and two patients achieved a reduction in Y-BOCS > or =25%. Consequently, 64 patients were eligible to receive high-dose escitalopram (mean dose, 33.8 mg/day at endpoint). At endpoint, high-dose escitalopram had significantly improved the OCD symptoms (Y-BOCS score) and all the other efficacy measures (P<0.001), compared with baseline. Escitalopram was also well tolerated, with no discontinuations during the 12-week high-dose phase. The only reported adverse drug reactions were dry mouth (n=8, 12.1%) and decreased sexual desire (n=21, 31.8%). Preliminary investigation shows that high-dose escitalopram is an efficacious and well tolerated treatment for patients suffering from severe OCD. Randomized, blinded studies are needed to reinforce these findings. |
| Authors | Ilan Rabinowitz, Yehuda Baruch, Yoram Barak
(Affiliation: The YOTAM Treatment Center, Ramat-Gan bAbarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat-Yam, Israel.)
|
| Journal | International clinical psychopharmacology
(Int Clin Psychopharmacol)
Vol. 23
Issue 1
Pg. 49-53
(Jan 2008)
ISSN: 0268-1315 England |
| PMID | 18090508
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Antidepressive Agents
- Citalopram
|
| Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Antidepressive Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Citalopram
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Data Interpretation, Statistical
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Resistance
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(drug therapy, psychology)
- Prospective Studies
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Socioeconomic Factors
- Treatment Outcome
|
