Tolerability And Efficacy Of High Dose Escitalopram In The Treatment Of Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia And Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - An Open Label Study

Summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate tolerability and efficacy of escitalopram (Cipralex) treatment in doses beyond 20mg (20-40 mg/d) in patients with OCD and schizophrenia, non responsive or partially responsive to recommended doses (evaluation according to Y-BOCS). An open label, prospective study. The study will include 20 patients recruited from the inpatient wards and from the outpatient clinic who have a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and OCD. Before entering the study all patients will be interviewed by 2 senior board certified psychiatrists in order to confirm the diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and OCD according to DSM-IV criteria. After confirming the diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and OCD each patient will be evaluated by PANSS, Y-BOCS and GCI-S scales. Those patients who score above 12 points on the Y-BOCS will be eligible for the study. Rating scales (PANSS, Y-BOCS, CGI-S, CGI-I) will be completed on a weekly basis during the whole 13 weeks period. In addition patients will be asked to report medication side effects and will also be clinically evaluated for side effects by the physician. Special attention will be paid to worsening of psychosis or OC symptoms. All patients whose mental status will deteriorate or those who cannot tolerate the drug will be dropped-out and intent to treat analysis will be made.

Timeline

Start

2008-07

Primary completion

2010-07

Completion

2010-07

Drugs

Indications