Successful fluvoxamine treatment of a case of refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Fluvoxamine, a potent and selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, effectively reduced compulsive handwashing and other rituals in a patient previously refractory to behaviour therapy, clomipramine, MAO inhibitors and other pharmacotherapy. Treatment effect was delayed but broadly patholytic, reducing anxiety and depression scores as well as ratings of obsessiveness.