Olanzapine augmentation of serotonin uptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder: An open study

Objective: This study evaluates the clinical response to olanzapine used in association with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ol clomipramine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: We describe the cases of 9 patients with serotonin uptake inhibitor-resistant OCD who were given an open-label adjunctive treatment of olazapine for a minimum of 6 weeks. The response was assessed by using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). Results: Six patients showed improvement of symptoms after the augmentation with olanzapine. One patient (treated with clomipramine) discontinued olanzapine due to side effects, and another. 2 did nor respond. Conclusion: Olanzapine augmentation of SSRIs in treating OCD showed a good (two-thirds), response rate, and it could therefore be considered as a treatment option when conventional therapies have failed.