Clin Neuropharmacol. 2023 Jul 18. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0000000000000564. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Reboxetine is a potent and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that was effective in combination with citalopram for resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aims to assess its effectiveness and tolerability in combination with fluoxetine in treating OCD.

METHODS: In this 2-center, placebo-controlled, and double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 76 patients with OCD were assigned into 2 parallel groups to receive fluoxetine (up to 80 mg/d) plus placebo (F + P) or fluoxetine (up to 80 mg/d) plus reboxetine (F + R) (10 mg twice daily) for 10 weeks. Participants were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) at baseline and weeks 5 and 10.

RESULTS: A total of 76 patients completed the trial. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in baseline Y-BOCS scores. General linear model repeated-measures showed significant effects on time-treatment interaction on total Y-BOCS (F = 6.33, df = 1.42, P = 0.006) and obsession subscale scores (F = 10.39, df = 1.48, P < 0.001), and insignificance on compulsion subscale scores (F = 1.86, df = 1.24, P = 0.173). Reboxetine combination therapy demonstrated a higher partial and complete treatment response rate (P < 0.01) according to the Y-BOCS total scores. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the frequency of adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Reboxetine combination therapy with fluoxetine can effectively improve symptoms in patients with OCD in a short period of treatment. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.This trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir; No IRCT20090117001556N129).

PMID:37459400 | DOI:10.1097/WNF.0000000000000564