Posted by Ame Sans Vie on August 6, 2004, at 14:58:06
In reply to Re: OCD Meds? - try Luvox, posted by krybrahaha78 on August 5, 2004, at 23:22:26
Just wanted to add my opinion --
I'm sure Luvox (which I believe was recently removed from manufacturing by Solvay... the generic [fluvoxamine maleate] is available, however) can be great for some with OCD, but it has probably the most intolerable side effect profile and discontinuation syndrome of all the SSRIs. Worse than Paxil for me!
Clomipramine (brand 'Anafranil') is also a mainstay treatment for OCD, but carries many of the same problems as SSRIs along with some tricyclic side-effects (i.e., anticholinergia). Quite unpleasant.
I have three suggestions:
1) talk to your doctor about increasing the dose of Prozac, or trying another SSRI (preferably Zoloft, Celexa, or Lexapro) at a high dosage; 120mg Prozac, 200-300mg Zoloft, 80mg Celexa, or 120mg Lexapro would be a good start. It's been shown that doses effective in treating OCD with these drugs are significantly higher than those used to treat depression. All the SSRIs are equally effective in treating OCD if used in adequate doses -- it's just that Luvox is the only one to carry an FDA indication solely for OCD, so many falsely believe that it's the best for the job (though it may be, for some people).
2) some find that a benzodiazepine with serotonergic activity, *when taken along with another effective medication*, works wonders. These include Xanax/Xanax XR (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Serax (oxazepam).
3) if you're interested, I'll be more than happy to dig up some information on using narcotic painkillers in treating OCD. Ultram (tramadol) is a combination mild narcotic and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. I found nothing relieved my OCD symptoms like it, until I gave amphetamines (Adderall, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, DextroStat) a try. Just let me know if you'd like some info to bring your doctor on this approach!
All the best,
~Michael
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:374426
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040805/msgs/374759.html