BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with a significant degree of functional disability and poor quality of life. Pharmacotherapy may have a substantial impact on the course and outcome of OCD. METHOD: We review the evidence supporting available strategies for the pharmacological treatment of OCD. RESULTS: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remain the pharmacological treatment of choice and are associated with improved health-related quality of life. Discontinuation is associated with relapse and loss of quality of life, implying treatment should continue long-term. A substantial minority of patients who fail to respond to SSRI may benefit from dose elevation or adjunctive antipsychotics, though long-term trials validating the effectiveness and tolerability of these strategies are relatively lacking. CONCLUSION: The pharmacological evidence-base for the treatment of OCD is becoming increasingly robust. Treatment with SSRIs and clomipramine remains uncontroversial and improvements are sustained over time. Newer compounds targeting serotonin receptor subtypes and other neurotransmitter systems are undergoing evaluation.
BACKGROUND:Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with a significant degree of functional disability and poor quality of life. Pharmacotherapy may have a substantial impact on the course and outcome of OCD. METHOD: We review the evidence supporting available strategies for the pharmacological treatment of OCD. RESULTS: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remain the pharmacological treatment of choice and are associated with improved health-related quality of life. Discontinuation is associated with relapse and loss of quality of life, implying treatment should continue long-term. A substantial minority of patients who fail to respond to SSRI may benefit from dose elevation or adjunctive antipsychotics, though long-term trials validating the effectiveness and tolerability of these strategies are relatively lacking. CONCLUSION: The pharmacological evidence-base for the treatment of OCD is becoming increasingly robust. Treatment with SSRIs and clomipramine remains uncontroversial and improvements are sustained over time. Newer compounds targeting serotonin receptor subtypes and other neurotransmitter systems are undergoing evaluation.
Authors: Brian L Odlaug; Eric Weinhandl; Maria C Mancebo; Erik L Mortensen; Jane L Eisen; Steven A Rasmussen; Liana R N Schreiber; Jon E Grant Journal: Ann Clin Psychiatry Date: 2014-02 Impact factor: 1.567
Authors: Ana M Abrantes; Richard A Brown; David R Strong; Nicole McLaughlin; Sarah L Garnaat; Maria Mancebo; Deborah Riebe; Julie Desaulniers; Agustin G Yip; Steven Rasmussen; Benjamin D Greenberg Journal: Gen Hosp Psychiatry Date: 2017-06-23 Impact factor: 3.238
Authors: Ana M Abrantes; Samantha G Farris; Richard A Brown; Benjamin D Greenberg; David R Strong; Nicole C McLaughlin; Deborah Riebe Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2018-11-14 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: David Veale; Sarah Miles; Nicola Smallcombe; Haben Ghezai; Ben Goldacre; John Hodsoll Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2014-11-29 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Claire M Gillan; Trevor W Robbins; Barbara J Sahakian; Odile A van den Heuvel; Guido van Wingen Journal: Eur Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2015-12-29 Impact factor: 4.600