drug treatments are able to alter activity of neurotransmitters and thats why can help correct any chemical imbalance which could be causing OCD symptoms
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What drugs are used and why?
Anti-depressents which increase levels of seretonin which is believed to be underactive in OCD patients
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Drugs used
1. SSRI's (selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors) 2. Tricyclic Antidepressents 3. other type of drugs
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SSRI's
block the reabsorption of seretonin in the presynaptic cell and increase levels of available seretonin in synapse, enabling continued stimulation of post-synaptic neuron
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example of SSRI
fluxoetine
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Tricyclic Antidepressents
older generation of antidepressents work in same was as SSRI + block the reuptake of another neurotransmitter (noradrenaline)
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example of tricyclic antidepressents
clomipramine
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Other Type of Drugs
drugs which can act on neurotransmitters are also sometimes used. especially for patients who don't respond to antidepressant meds.
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example of other types of drugs
antipsychotic drugs (reduce dopamine activity blocking post synaptic receptors) / anti-anxiety (benzodiazepenes) increase GABA activity have calming effect on CNS
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advantage of biological approach of treating OCD
many respond well to SRRI's / Soomio - 17 clinical trial comparing SSRI to placebo and all 17 improved. greatest is with CBT
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appropriateness of biological approach of treating OCD
drugs are cost effective, cheaper than psychological alternative and easy and simple to take and accessible to majority
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disadvantage of biological approach
while 50-70% respond, doesn't mean it is effective for everyone / even though symptoms reduced rarely totally eliminated / side effects
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Card 2
Front
What drugs are used and why?
Back
Anti-depressents which increase levels of seretonin which is believed to be underactive in OCD patients
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