Psychiatric Medications
Articles Index
Antidepressants Grow New Brain Cells
New research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health strongly suggests that some antidepressants work by growing new neurons (brain cells). The study found that blocking the formation of neurons in the hippocampus blocked the behavioral effects of the antidepressant fluoxitine (marketed as Prozac and Sarafem) in mice.
Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive dyskenesia is a movement disorder that is almost always caused by medications. This permanent condition is a potential side-effect of long-term treatment with phenothiazines such as Thorazine and Haldol which are often used to treat schizophrenia and other major mental disorders.
Antipsychotic Medications
Antipsychotic medications are the treatment-of-choice for schizophrenia and similar severe mental disorders
Antidepressants - MAO Inhibitors
MAO Inhibitors are antidepressants that are used less then they used to be. Read about Marplan (isocarboxazid) Nardil (phenelzine) & Parnate (tranylcypromin).
What about St. John's Wort?
St. John's Wort is very popular as an herbal treatment for depression. Does it work? What are the risks?
Should Children Take Antidepressants?
A study found sertraline (Zoloft) to be somewhat more effective than placebo for children and teenagers.
Antidepressant Medications for Children?
Recently concerns have been raised that antidepressant medications themselves may induce suicidal behavior and be ineffective in treating depression in youths. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers the following information to help families and caregivers make treatment choices based on the best currently available information.
Antidepressant Medications
Information about antidepressant medications
Information about SSRI Antidepressants
SSRIs are popular antidepressants, but they can have side effects. Find out more about such as Celexa (citalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).
Lamictal doesn't cause Weight Gain in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Results from an analysis presented in May of 2004 show that long-term treatment with Lamictal (lamotrigine) is not associated with clinically relevant changes in weight when used in patients with bipolar I disorder compared to placebo.
Most SSRI Antidepressant Drugs May Be Unsuitable for Children
A UK study published in The Lancet suggests that reliance on published studies alone to guide the treatment of childhood depression could be inappropriate.
FDA Public Health Advisory on Cautions for Antidepressants in Adults & Children
On March 22, 2004 The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory that provides further cautions to physicians, their patients, and families and caregivers of patients about the need to closely monitor both adults and children with depression, especially at the beginning of treatment, or when the doses are changed with either an increase or decrease in the dose.
Lexapro Approved for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The SSRI Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) has been approved for treatment of Generalized Anxiety Diorder (in addition to treatment of depression).
Risperdal (resperidone) Information
Information about Risperdal (resperidone) - the second atypical antidepressant which has fewer side-effects than older medications.
Seroquel (quetiapine) Information
Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Assorted Medications sometimes used to treat Anxiety
Assorted medications somtimes used to treat anxiety - Buspar (buspirone), Neurontin (gabapentin), beta blockers Inderal (propranolol)
Anxiety Medications
Antianxiety medications help to calm and relax the anxious person and remove the troubling symptoms. There are a number of antianxiety medications currently available. The preferred medications for most anxiety disorders are the benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax/Zanex, and Ativan.
Information about Some of the Newer 'Atypical' Antidepressants
Information about some of the newer 'atypical' antidepressants - Buspar buspirone Desyrel trazodone Effexor venlafaxine Remeron mirtazapine Serzone nefazodone Wellbutrin bupropion.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Information on the tricyclic antidepressants, including Adapin (doxepin), Anafranil (clomipramine), Elavil (amitriptyline), Endep (amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine), Pamelor (nortryptyline), Pertofrane (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), and Vivactil (protriptyline)
Benzodiazepines - to treat anxiety
Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Olanzapine(Zyprexa)Information
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Clozapine (Clozaril) Information
Clozapine (Clozaril) was the first of the newer atypical antipsychotic medications.
A look at Celexa - a new SSRI
Celexa is one of the newer antidepressants. Here are some research studies summarized from the May 1999 APA meeting.
Antidepressants for More than Depression
Antidepressant medications are used to treat more than depression. Some antidepressants are used to help you sleep; others treat anxiety; and some can be used to help relieve certain types of pain.
Paxil approved for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant medication in the same class as Prozac and Zoloft. It is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
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