Posts tagged psychiatric drugs
Mirtazapine
Mechanism of action unknown; appears to act similarly to TCAs, which inhibit the presynaptic reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin;anticholinergic at CNS and peripheral receptors; sedating; relation of these effects to clinical efficacy is unknown.
Generic Name: mirtazapine
Brand Name: Remeron, Remeron SolTab
Other Info: Pregnancy Category C
Drug class: Antidepressant (tetracyclic)
Indication- Relief of symptoms of depression (endogenous depression most responsive)
Fluoxentine HCl (Prozac)
Acts as an antidepressant by inhibiting CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin; blocks uptake of serotonin with little effect on norepinephrine; little affinity for muscarinic, histaminergic, and alpha1-adrenergic receptors.
Generic Name: fluoxetine hydrochloride
Brand Name: Apo-Fluoxetine (CAN), Co-Fluoxetine (CAN), Novo-Fluoxetine (CAN), PMS-Fluoxetine (CAN), Prozac, Prozac Pulvules, Prozac Weekly, ratio-Fluoxetine (CAN), Sarafem
Other Info: Pregnancy More >
Escitalopram
Generic Name: escitalopram oxalate
Brand Name: Lexapro
Other Info: Pregnancy Category C
Drug classes: Antidepressant, SSRI
Therapeutic actionsPotentiates serotonergic activitity in the CNS by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin resulting in antidepressant effect with little effect on norepinephrine or dopamine; an isomer of citalopram.
Indications- Treatment of major depressive disorder
- Maintenance treatment for patients with major depressive disorder
- Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder
- Unlabeled use: Panic disorder
Alprazolam
Generic Name: alprazolam
Brand Name: Alprazolam Intensol, Apo-Alpraz (CAN), Niravam, Novo-Alprazol (CAN), Nu-Alpraz (CAN), Xanax, Xanax TS (CAN), Xanax XR
Other Info: Pregnancy Category D, Controlled Substance C-IV
Drug classes: Benzodiazepine, Anxiolytic
Therapeutic actionsExact mechanisms of action not understood; main sites of action may be the limbic system and reticular formation; increases the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter; anxiety blocking effects More >
Gabapentin
Brand Name: Apo-Gabapentin (CAN), Gen-Gabapentin (CAN), Neurontin
Other Info: Pregnancy Category C
Drug class: Antiepileptic
Therapeutic actionsMechanism of action not understood; antiepileptic activity may be related to its ability to inhibit polysynaptic responses and block posttetanic potentiation.
Indications- Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures with and without secondary generalization in adults More >
Methylphenidate
Generic Name: methylphenidate hydrochloride
Brand Name: Apo-Methylphenidate (CAN), Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, PMS-Methylphenidate (CAN), Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR
Other Info: Pregnancy Category C, Controlled Substance C-II
Drug class: CNS stimulant
Therapeutic actionsMild cortical stimulant with CNS actions similar to those of the amphetamines; efficacy in hyperkinetic syndrome, attention-deficit disorders in children appearsparadoxical and is not understood
Indications- Ritalin, Ritalin SR, More >
Clonazepam
Generic Name: clonazepam
Brand Name: Apo-Clonazepam (CAN), Gen-Clonazepam (CAN), Klonopin, Klonopin Wafers, Nu-Clonazepam (CAN), Rivotril (CAN)
Other Info: Pregnancy Category X, Controlled Substance C-IV
Drug classes: Benzodiazepine, Antiepileptic
Therapeutic actionsExact mechanisms not understood; benzodiazepines potentiate the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Indications- Used alone or as adjunct in treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures; may be useful in patients with absence (petit mal) More >
Buspirone HCl
Generic Name: buspirone hydrochloride
Brand Name: BuSpar
Pregnancy Category B
Drug class: Anxiolytic
Therapeutic actionsMechanism of action not known; lacks antiseizure, sedative, or muscle relaxant properties; binds serotonin receptors, but the clinical significance is unclear.
Indications- Management of anxiety disorders or short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety
- Unlabeled use: Decreasing the symptoms (aches, pains, fatigue, cramps, irritability) of More >
Amitriptyline HCl
Generic Name: amitriptyline hydrochloride
Brand Names: Endep (CAN), Tryptanol (CAN)
Pregnancy Category D
Drug class: TCA; tertiary amine
Therapeutic actionsMechanism of action unknown; TCAs inhibit the reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin, leading to an increase in their effects; anticholinergicat CNS and peripheral receptors; sedative.
Indications- Relief of symptoms of depression (endogenous most responsive); sedative effects may help when depression is associated with anxiety More >
Lorazepam
Brand Names: Apo-Lorazepam (CAN), Ativan, Novo-Lorazem (CAN), Nu-Loraz (CAN)
Pregnancy Category D
Controlled Substance C-IV
Drug classes: Benzodiazepine, Anxiolytic, Sedative-hypnotic
Therapeutic actions
Exact mechanisms are not understood; acts mainly at subcortical levels of the CNS, leaving the cortex relatively unaffected. Main sites of action may be the limbic system and reticular formation; benzodiazepines potentiate the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter; anxiolytic effects occur at doses well below those More >
Lithium
lithium
Brand Names: Carbolith (CAN), Duralith (CAN), Eskalith, Eskalith CR, Lithane (CAN),
Pregnancy Category D
Drug class
Antimanic drug
Therapeutic actions
Mechanism is not known; alters sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells; inhibits release of norepinephrine and dopamine, but not serotonin, from stimulated neurons; slightly increases intraneuronal stores of catecholamines; decreases intraneuronal content of second messengers and may thereby selectively modulate the responsiveness of hyperactive neurons that might contribute to the More >
