Medicines used to treat OCD

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SSRI antidepressants

Although they are often used to treat depression, SSRI antidepressant medicines can also reduce the symptoms of OCD, even if you are not depressed. They work by interfering with brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin which may be involved in causing symptoms of OCD. SSRI antidepressants include: citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline.

Note:

SSRI antidepressants do not work straight away. It takes 2-4 weeks before their effect builds up and start to work. They may take up to 12 weeks to work fully. A common problem is that some people stop the medicine after a week or so as they feel that it is doing no good. You need to give them time to work.
SSRI antidepressants are not tranquillisers, and are not usually addictive.
The doses needed to treat OCD are often higher than those needed for depression.
If it works, it is usual to take an SSRI antidepressant for at least a year to treat OCD.

What about side-effects with SSRIs?

Most people who take an SSRI have either minor, or no, side-effects. Possible side-effects vary between different preparations. The most common ones include: diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting, and headaches. Some people develop a feeling of restlessness or anxiety (see below). Sexual problems sometimes occur. It is worth keeping on with treatment if side-effects are mild at first. Minor side-effects may wear off after a week or so.

The leaflet that comes in the medicine packet gives a full list of possible side-effects. Tell your doctor if a side-effect persists or is troublesome. A switch to a different preparation may then suit you better. Drowsiness is an uncommon side-effect with SSRI antidepressants, but do not drive or operate machinery if you become drowsy whilst taking one.