OCD Medication & Treatment: Understanding Drug Options

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can usually be effectively managed with medication and therapy. Doctors may try several different drugs before finding one that effectively treats an individual patient. All drugs have side effects and risks that patients should discuss with their doctors.

Types

• The most commonly used drugs for OCD patients are antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The FDA has only approved a few SSRIs for OCD treatment, but doctors use other medications off-label to treat OCD.

Function

• Many OCD patients have an imbalance of serotonin, which leads to obsessive-compulsive symptoms. OCD drugs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Considerations

• Many OCD patients need to try several medications before finding one that works. Sometimes, doctors combine antidepressants or SSRIs with other antipsychotic medications to control OCD symptoms.

Dosage

• If a particular OCD drug is not working, the dosage may need to be adjusted. Dosing for OCD drugs is often higher than the dosage the drug would be administered for other mental disorders. It usually takes several weeks to see the full effects of a particular drug once the correct dosage is established.

Side Effects

• Common side effects for antidepressants include weight gain, nervousness, sexual side effects and dry mouth. SSRIs can cause gastrointestinal problems, insomnia, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction. Many psychiatric drugs can interact with other medications, so patients should disclose all current medications to their doctors.