Current trends in drug treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder

Eric H Decloedt1, Dan J Stein21Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, 2Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South AfricaAbstract: This article aims to highlight current trends in the pharmacologic management of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). A systematic search of the electronic database MEDLINE was conducted. The first case report of clomipramine efficacy in the management OCD more than 40 years ago gave new hope for the treatment of this debilitating disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) proved to have a similar efficacy profile compared with clomipramine but had a superior tolerability profile. While many patients with OCD respond to SSRIs or clomipramine, the treatment of those with refractory OCD remains challenging. Different augmentation agents in treatment-resistant OCD have been explored, with antipsychotic agents having the largest supporting evidence base. Nevertheless, new pharmacologic treatment options are required and are under investigation.Keywords: obsessive–compulsive disorder, pharmacology, treatment, drug