Which medication is listed as a pharmacologic treatment for OCD?

Which medication is listed as a pharmacologic treatment for OCD?

• A. Venlafaxine
• B. Clomipramine (Anafranil)
• C. Risperidone
• D. Lamotrigine

Answer: (B)

OCD pharmacotherapy traditionally includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the classic antidepressant clomipramine. Clomipramine stands out here because it is a tricyclic antidepressant with strong, well-established evidence for reducing obsessions and compulsions and is specifically approved for OCD. Its effectiveness comes from serotonin reuptake inhibition, which helps dampen the obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors characteristic of OCD. The other medications listed don’t serve as primary treatments for OCD. Venlafaxine can be used in some cases but is not the standard choice for OCD and is less commonly regarded as a first-line option. Risperidone is an antipsychotic that's sometimes added to antidepressants to augment treatment in OCD when responses are partial, not a stand-alone primary pharmacologic treatment. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant mood stabilizer not typically used to treat OCD.

OCD pharmacotherapy traditionally includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the classic antidepressant clomipramine. Clomipramine stands out here because it is a tricyclic antidepressant with strong, well-established evidence for reducing obsessions and compulsions and is specifically approved for OCD. Its effectiveness comes from serotonin reuptake inhibition, which helps dampen the obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors characteristic of OCD.

The other medications listed don’t serve as primary treatments for OCD. Venlafaxine can be used in some cases but is not the standard choice for OCD and is less commonly regarded as a first-line option. Risperidone is an antipsychotic that's sometimes added to antidepressants to augment treatment in OCD when responses are partial, not a stand-alone primary pharmacologic treatment. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant mood stabilizer not typically used to treat OCD.