Which tricyclic antidepressant is most commonly prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Clomipramine is recognized as the tricyclic antidepressant most commonly prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It serves as a potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor in addition to its action on norepinephrine. The effectiveness of clomipramine in OCD stems from its ability to enhance serotonergic transmission, which is thought to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Research and clinical trials have demonstrated that clomipramine can significantly reduce the symptoms of OCD, making it a first-line option for treatment.

Other tricyclics listed do not possess the same level of efficacy for OCD. While desipramine, maprotiline, and amoxapine may have antidepressant properties and act on norepinephrine or serotonin to varying degrees, they are not specifically indicated or commonly used for the treatment of OCD, which emphasizes the importance of clomipramine in this context.