The purpose of the study is to assess the tolerability and efficacy of dextromethorphan in combination with fluoxetine for symptom relief in OCD and related disorders.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and the related disorders body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and illness anxiety disorder (IAD) are psychiatric conditions characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts, feelings or images (obsessions or preoccupations) and repetitive or ritualized behaviors or avoidance performed to relieve obsession or preoccupation-related anxiety. They are a significant cause of mental health-related disability, and are inadequately served by available treatments. This study tests whether an over-the-counter cough suppressant medicine, dextromethorphan, may offer symptom relief when combined with a low dose of fluoxetine, a standard prescription treatment for OCD and related disorders.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Fluoxetine 20mg (or previously prescribed dose) will be taken once daily by mouth for 8 weeks
Dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cough suppressant, will be taken by mouth twice daily for four weeks of the study, starting at 15mg per dose, and increasing weekly as tolerated to a maximum of 60mg per dose.
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States
RECRUITINGImprovement in OCD or related disorder symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS
Improvement in OCD severity is measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), a gold standard measure of the severity of obsessions and compulsions. Variants of the Y-BOCS designed for assessment of body dysmorphic disorder or illness anxiety disorder/somatic symptom disorder will be used as appropriate. Y-BOCS scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater severity of symptoms. Response will be defined as a 35% reduction in Y-BOCS score.
Time frame: Change from baseline will be assessed at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Improvement in clinical insight as measured by the BABS
Improvement in clinical insight is measured by the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale (BABS), a scale assessing multiple dimensions of clinical insight as relevant to OCD and related disorders. The BABS rates multiple dimensions of clinical insight related to an identified belief. BABS scores range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating greater insight impairment. Response will be defined as a 35% reduction in BABS score.
Time frame: Change from baseline will be assessed at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.