Margo Thienemann, Michelle Park, Avis Chan, Jennifer Frankovich. Patients with abrupt early-onset OCD due to PANS tolerate lower doses of antidepressants and antipsychotics. Journal of Psychiatric Research, Vol 135, 2021, PP 270-278. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.022.
- More than half of patients with PANS require psychotropic medication.
- Side effects requiring a therapy change are common.
- Drug doses at which side effects occur are usually less than recommended.
- Clinicians should start with lower doses of psychotropics in PANS patients.
“Antidepressants’ most common side effects were anxiety, agitation, aggression, and akathisia. Antipsychotics’ most common side effects were dystonia, aggression, self-injurious behavior, and movement abnormality. Side effects were common at doses lower than the suggested starting doses for these medications. Patients tolerated antidepressants and antipsychotics when doses were low.”
Gabriella True
