Risperidone Augmentation of Paroxetine in a Case of Severe, Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Without Comorbid Psychopathology

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug distinguished from conventional neuroleptics by its antagonism of serotonin receptors of the 5-HT_2A and 5-HT₇ subtypes while having a similar affinity for dopamine D₂ receptors. The novel pharmacologic profile of risperidone suggests the possibility of other therapeutic applications, particularly in disorders putatively associated with abnormal central serotonergic function. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is such a disorder, and recent reports suggest that risperidone may be an effective adjunct to treatment of OCD with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).