Psychiatric Manifestations of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Medication

  • Author: Iqbal Ahmed, MBBS, FRCPsych (UK); Chief Editor: David Bienenfeld, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 11, 2011
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy in patients with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are to reduce symptoms and morbidity and prevent complications.

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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Class Summary

These agents potentiate the pharmacological effects of serotonin (5-HT) in the CNS.

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Escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

SSRI and S-enantiomer of citalopram. Used for the treatment of depression. Mechanism of action is thought to be potentiation of serotonergic activity in central CNS resulting from inhibition of CNS neuronal reuptake of serotonin. Onset of depression relief may be obtained after 1-2 wk, which is sooner than other antidepressants.

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Citalopram (Celexa)

 

Enhances serotonin activity due to selective reuptake inhibition at the neuronal membrane. No head-to-head comparisons of SSRIs exist, although, based on metabolism and adverse effects, citalopram is considered SSRI of choice for patients with head injury.

SSRIs are the antidepressants of choice due to minimal anticholinergic effects. All are equally efficacious. The choice depends on adverse effects and drug interactions.

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Fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

Selectively inhibits presynaptic serotonin reuptake with minimal or no effect on the reuptake of norepinephrine or dopamine. Dosages used to treat OCD are effective for BDD. Low starting dose and more gradual increase are advisable in patients sensitive to medications (ie, slow metabolizers).

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Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

 

Potent selective inhibitor of neuronal serotonin reuptake. Does not significantly bind to alpha-adrenergic, histamine, or cholinergic receptors and thus has fewer adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. When treating BDD, higher doses than those used for depression generally are needed.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Iqbal Ahmed, MBBS, FRCPsych (UK)  Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Tripler Army Medical Center; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Hawaii, John A Burns School of Medicine

Iqbal Ahmed, MBBS, FRCPsych (UK) is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Neuropsychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, and Royal College of Psychiatrists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Lawrence Genen, MD, MBA  Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Thomas Cook, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii, John A Burns School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Denis F Darko, MD  Executive Director, Clinical Research and Development, Global Neuroscience, AstraZeneca

Denis F Darko, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and American Psychiatric Association

Disclosure: AstraZeneca Salary Management position

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Harold H Harsch, MD  Program Director of Geropsychiatry, Department of Geriatrics/Gerontology, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Medicine, Froedtert Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin

Harold H Harsch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Psychiatric Association

Disclosure: lilly Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Forest Labs None None; Pfizer Grant/research funds Speaking and teaching; Northstar None None; Novartis Grant/research funds research; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sunovion Speaking and teaching; Otsuke Grant/research funds reseach; GlaxoSmithKline Grant/research funds research; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

David Bienenfeld, MD  Professor of Psychiatry, Vice-Chair and Director of Residency Training, Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine

David Bienenfeld, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Association for Academic Psychiatry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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