Do anti-obsessional meds cause long-term, irreversible side effects?

As far as we know, there are no irreversible side effects caused by the standard anti-obsessional drugs. Many patients have used them for years without difficulties. Some of the drugs that are occasionally used such as the older antipsychotic (or sometimes called neuroleptic) drugs like haloperidol (Haldol,Serenace), chlorpromazine (Thorazine,Largactil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine) can produce irreversible neurological problems, such as persistent tremor or tongue thrusting. These drugs are best avoided in patients with the usual forms of OCD; if they are used, it should generally be for only a few weeks. Occasionally, patients need to remain on these potentially troublesome drugs for longer periods of time.

For example, in OCD patients who also have tics (brief muscle jerks, such as repetitive eye blinks, nervous cough, or shoulder shrugs), there is now evidence that very low doses of these neuroleptic drugs added to ongoing SRI medication helps OCD symptoms. In OCD patient s without tics, there is no evidence that neuroleptics are helpful, and they are best avoided. There are newer neuroleptic agents, like clozapine (Clozaril) and risperidone(Risperdal), that may have fewer of these types of neurological problems, and that may be helpful when added to SRI treatment. These new drugs should not be used alone since they have been associated with worsening of OCD symptoms when not taken in combination with a SRI.

The information is sourced from an article written by : Michael A. Jenike, M.D.Chairman.

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