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N-Acetylcysteine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

In this study, the efficacy and safety of the nutritional supplement NAC as an adjuvant to SSRIs for treating kids and teenagers with OCD was examined (1). It was a 10 week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The patients received citalopram plus NAC or placebo. The YBOCS scale (a validated scale) was used to measure outcomes. The results showed that the score changed at the end of the trial. The group with NAC saw improvements. No serious adverse effects were found. The authors conclude that NAC adds to the effect of citalopram in improving resistance and control compulsions in OCD children and adolescents and that it is well-tolerated.