The most common medications prescribed for OCD are SSRI antidepressants. If an antidepressant is not effective in relieving OCD symptoms other medications might be used in conjunction with the antidepressant.
Though most prescription medications are a mixed blessing because of possible side effects, they can also provide much needed relief from distressing symptoms.
Unfortunately, finding the right medication or med combination is a trial and error process, but if an antidepressant is not relieving your obsessive-compulsive tendencies trying a new prescription may help.
Two Common Additions To SSRIs
One medication sometimes added to an SSRI prescription is clonazepam, a benzodiazepine (tranquilizer) and an anticonvulsant. Research is being done on clonazepam to discover how it works with SSRIs. The brand name for clonazepam is Klonopin; it is also used to treat anxiety and Tourette’s disorders.
Risperidone, or Risperdal, is another medication used in tandem with antidepressants for OCD. It can decrease anxiety and depression in OCD sufferers when an SSRI alone has not worked.
The possibility of negative side effects is the downside of risperidone. It is an antipsychotic drug that may cause sleepiness or fatigue, fuzzy thinking, weight gain, increased cholesterol or blood sugar, and if used for long periods movement disorders.
These side effects sound daunting although a small risperidone dose in conjunction with an antidepressant may cause minor side effects only, or none at all. The only way to find out is to try the medication.
Options for Co-Existing Conditions
A second medication can also be necessary when a person has another mental health diagnosis besides OCD. For instance, carbamazepine (Tegretol) might be prescribed to stabilize mood swings in a clinically depressed individual. Alprazolam (Xanax) can help with symptoms of an anxiety disorder. For paranoia, loss of reality, or hallucinations an atypical antipsychotic med such as olanzapine (Zyprexa) can be taken.
Be aware that people who start on mood stabilizers or anticonvulsant medications need to be carefully monitored for warning signs of suicide, an infrequent but possible reaction to these drugs. This caution is issued by the FDA.
The Trade-off
Taking medication, though not a cure, sometimes gives people with OCD their life back. It allows them to function with increased ease and enjoy their days more. It can also relieve symptoms enough to make other treatments (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) more effective.
The risks of medication side effects are often overshadowed by the relief medications deliver—a sometimes uncomfortable tradeoff worth considering.
Source: HealthLinkBC
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