One of the most commonly used treatments for patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the use of prescription medications. There are a wide range of prescription medications available to treat most of the symptoms that are associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. These drugs are prescribed to patients only after they have been thoroughly evaluated by a doctor and should not be shared.

The Most Common Drug Class

Doctors usually prescribed medications from a group of drugs known as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs are popular treatments because they address the potential chemical imbalance that may be the cause behind OCD and its symptoms. In particular, patients usually experience an imbalance of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin is a valuable neurotransmitter which helps to relay messages in the brain and helps to regulate other functions like the sleep cycle.

SSRIs include the popular drug fluoxetine, more commonly known as Prozac, its brand name. They can also include Wellbutrin and Zoloft, two other commonly prescribed medications. Although many people think of these drugs solely as antidepressants, these drugs also can serve many other purposes, such as treating the symptoms of OCD. The drugs work because they are thought to help rebalance the neurotransmitters in the brain, enabling messages to relay properly again.

Patients who have been prescribed SSRIs or any other medication should be aware that a miracle cure will not happen overnight. It may take time for the doctor to adjust the medication to the correct dosage amount or the medication itself may need to be switched. It can then take several weeks for the medication to have its full effect, although in some cases a few patients may experience relief sooner than others. Another drug commonly prescribed for OCD is called clomipramine. This drug is a tricyclic antidepressant, meaning it is part of an older class of antidepressants. Although it has effectively treated OCD for years, it may have more side effects than SSRIs.

Which medications are right for you depends on the severity of your disorder. The doctor may have to make multiple adjustments to find the right fit, but in the end, the relief most patients feel is worth the wait.

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