Low-dose pimozide augmentation of serotonin reuptake blockers in the treatment of trichotillomania.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is some overlap in the phenomenology and treatment response of trichotillomania, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Neuroleptics may play a role in the treatment of TS as well as refractory OCD, and the question arises whether this also holds for trichotillomania. METHOD: Patients with trichotillomania were treated in open clinical practice with serotonin reuptake blockers. When symptom resolution was incomplete or symptom relapse occurred, low-dose pimozide was added. RESULTS: In six out of seven patients, the addition of pimozide to a serotonin reuptake blocker led to an improvement in hair pulling. In patients who were able to tolerate their medication, this response was sustained. CONCLUSION: Augmentation of serotonergic agents with dopamine blockers may play a role in the treatment of trichotillomania. Further controlled trials of pimozide augmentation in trichotillomania are needed.

Author information

Author/s: Stein, D J (DJ); Hollander, E (E);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Grants: MH-00750 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1992-Apr; vol 53 (issue 4) : pp 123-6

Dates: Created 1992/05/20; Completed 1992/05/20; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 1532960, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - complications; drug therapy; physiopathology
Pimozide - administration & dosage; therapeutic use
Serotonin - physiology
Trichotillomania - complications; drug therapy; physiopathology

Associated Chemicals: Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors (0) ; Pimozide (2062-78-4) ; Clomipramine (303-49-1) ; Serotonin (50-67-9) ; Dopamine (51-61-6) ; Fluoxetine (54910-89-3)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database: