Obsessions and compulsions are common in schizophrenic patients. Based on findings of the efficacy of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, we designed an open-trial to examine the effect of adding fluoxetine to the ongoing antipsychotic regimen of schizophrenic patients with obsessions or compulsions.

The study population consisted of 16 schizophrenic patients who had obsessive and/or compulsive symptoms. Fluoxetine (20-60 mg/day) was added to the ongoing antipsychotic treatment for 12-weeks. The patients were evaluated before the trial and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).

The results showed a significant improvement in obsessions (P < 0.02) and compulsions (P <0.01). At the end point of the study, 9 (56%) of the patients showed significant (more than 50% reduction) in the Y-BOCS score. Although some of the patients experienced somnolence, insomnia or gastro-intestinal problems, but there were no significant clinical side-effects.

It seems that Fluoxetine is an effective medication for treating obsessive and/or compulsive symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

Obsession, compulsion, schizophrenia, fluoxetine