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Clinical Trial
. 2015 Jul 28;19(2):pyv084.
doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv084.

Intravenous Clomipramine for Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Wael Karameh Karameh  1 , Munir Khani  2
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Intravenous Clomipramine for Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Wael Karameh Karameh et al. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. .

Erratum in

  • Erratum.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2016 Apr 27;19(10):pyw031. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyw031. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2016. PMID: 27207904 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Background: This open trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous clomipramine (CMI) in refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Methods: Thirty OCD poor responders to previous multiple trials of anti-obsessive medications were selected and admitted to the hospital. Severity of the illness and response to treatment were primarily assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). CMI was gradually administered intravenously for one week. All patients were thereafter switched to oral CMI with a maximum dose of 225 mg/day.

Results: The Y-BOCS total score mean at admission was in the severe range (24-31), and dropped on discharge and follow-ups to the moderate range (16-23). At discharge, 23 patients (76.7%) had a decrease in Y-BOCS ≥ 25% and were considered responders, while only 18 (60%) were still responders at 24 weeks. No relevant persistent side effects were reported.

Conclusion: Intravenous clomipramine could be of benefit for severe OCD cases that have not adequately responded to several therapies, including oral clomipramine.

Keywords: clomipramine; intravenous clomipramine; obsessive-compulsive disorder; treatment-resistant OCD.

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