Risperidone-induced obsessive-compulsive symptoms in two children.

OBJECTIVE

To present two cases of rapid-onset obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children treated with risperidone.

CASES

"A" was an 8-year-old boy with attention deficit and chronic tic disorder who developed obsessive-compulsive symptoms within 2 weeks of starting risperidone. When the dose of 0.5 mg tid was discontinued, the obsessive-compulsive symptoms resolved with no return over 8 months of follow-up. "B" was an 11-year-old girl with mild mental retardation and aggression who was treated with risperidone 1 mg per day. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms suddenly emerged 10 days after starting risperidone and resolved within 3 days of discontinuation. In both cases, streptococcal pharyngitis was ruled out.

CONCLUSION

Although the mechanism is not clear, these cases add to several other reports concerning the sudden emergence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in children treated with atypical antipsychotics. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of these adverse effects in children treated with these drugs.