Obsessive compulsive syndrome in a patient treated by cariprazine in the course of schizophrenia with predominantly negative symptoms

Objectives
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia pose a significant problem for both thepatients and their surroundings, leading to impaired daily functioning. It is also a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A co-occurrence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the course of schizophrenia is a challenge in the selection of appropriate pharmacotherapy.

Case report
The following case study presents a gradual metamorphosis of symptoms and a way of functioning in a patient with a predominance of negative symptoms in schizophrenia under the influence of cariprazine, and the disclosure of previously unobserved thoughts and obsessive activities after modification of pharmacotherapy. The presented clinical case indicates that cariprazine is effective in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia and may cause secondary obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Conclusions
In the case discussion, the authors point out that the possibility of obsessive-compulsive symptoms may relate to a group of antipsychotic drugs with antiserotonin activity.