Pharmacotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder

J Clin Psychol. 2004 Nov;60(11):1195-202. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20083.

Abstract

Pharmacotherapeutic options for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have expanded over the past half-century since medications were first found to be effective for the treatment of OCD. Currently, the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) represent the first-line pharmacotherapy for OCD. High dosages and long trials of the SRIs are needed for adequate treatment of OCD. The use of SRIs for the treatment of OCD is reviewed, then other pharmacotherapeutic treatment options, including SRI augmentation and alternative monotherapies, are discussed. The preponderance of data demonstrates that SRI augmentation with neuroleptics is efficacious for treatment-refractory OCD. There is substantially less evidence supporting other alternative strategies. Finally, neurosurgical and device-based approaches for treatment-refractory OCD are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Desensitization, Psychologic / methods
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetics / therapeutic use
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology
  • Psychosurgery
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors