Risperidone addition in serotonin reuptake inhibitor-resistant trichotillomania: three cases

Open-label addition of a low-dose typical (pimozide) neuroleptic was shown to be beneficial in some patients with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI)-refractory trichotillomania (TTM). Risperidone's potentially more benign acute and long-term side effect profile makes it a candidate for investigation in the treatment of TTM. We report our experience with the systematic addition of open-label risperidone 0.5 to 3 mg/day in three patients with SRI-refractory TTM. All three patients had a robust decrease in hair pulling as measured by clinician-rated instruments. These results suggest that risperidone addition to ongoing treatment with SRIs may be an effective treatment strategy for patients with SRI-refractory TTM.