Venlafaxine vs Fluvoxamine in OCD

Objective: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of fluvoxamine and venlafaxine in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Materials and Methods: Forty newly diagnosed patients of OCD (DSM-IV-TR criteria) were randomized to receive either Fluvoxamine (F) or Venlafaxine (V). The dose of fluvoxamine was titrated upwards from 50 to 300 mg/day and of venlafaxine from 75 to 375mg/day to achieve optimal clinical effects. The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used as an index of efficacy ( 0.05). Eleven patients obtained a score of 2 or 1 in F-group versus four in V-group. ADR profile was similar in both groups except for loss of libido which was significantly higher in F-group and headache in V-group. Conclusion: Though venlafaxine has a dual action but fluvoxamine with more selective action on the serotoninergic system shows better better symptomatic relief in OCD

Autorentext

Dr Lavina PrasharBSc Zoology (Hons, MBChB, MD PharmacologyLecturer PharmacologyUniversity of Zambia