Antipsychotics
What are three commonly used antipsychotics?
Haloperidol (Haldol); Quetiapine (Seroquel); Chlorpromazine (Thorazine); Perphenazine; Fluphenazine; Clozapine (Clozaril); Risperidone (Risperdal); Olanzapine (Zyprexa); Ziprasidone (Geodon); Aripiprazole (Abilify); Paliperidone (Invega)
Name 4 different antidepressants.
Celexa; Lexapro; Paxil; Prozac; Zoloft; Effexor; Buspar; Wellbutrin
What are examples of things someone can do to manage their anxiety in addition to medications?
Mindfulness; talking to someone; deep breathing; journaling; coping skills
What is a medication that can help with side effects?
Cogentin
Why take more than one medication?
For example, when you have a cold you may be prescribed something to clear your nose and something to soothe your throat. Similarly, you may be prescribed an antipsychotic as well as a mood stabilizer. Your doctor will check to make sure these medications don't have negative interactions.
What is the difference between trade names and generic names?
The trade name depends on the company, the way the drug is formulated, the country in which it is marketed, begins with a capital letter. The generic name defines the chemical nature, does not vary, and does not begin with a capital letter.
What is the trade name for escitalopram?
Lexapro
What class of medication are Ativan, Valium, Klonopin, and Xanax?
Benzodiazepines
What should you do if you are experiencing unpleasant side effects?
Do not stop your medications on your own. Speak with your doctor/psychiatrist.
Which is better: injections or pills?
Injections are only needed once every few weeks, whereas pills are usually needed at least once every day. Injections can help overcome the problem of forgetting to take pills.
What is the difference between "typical" and "atypical" antipsychotics?
Typical, or conventional, have been around since the 1950s. Atypical, or second generation, were developed in the 1990s.
What does SSRI stand for?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
What is the official term for anti-anxiety medications?
Anxiolytics
Name a medication that requires regular blood draws.
Clozaril, Depakote, lithium
What are some additional factors into which medication(s) may be prescribed to you?
Risks concerning your health and side effects; other medications you are on; medications you have tried that have not worked or not been tolerated; cost of medication; your age; your ethnic background
How are antipsychotics taken?
Pills, liquid, or shots given once or twice a month.
What is the generic name for Prozac?
Fluoxetine
What is the generic name for Xanax?
Alprazolam
What is the side effect called that presents with repetitive involuntary movements (such as grimacing or eye blinking)?
Tardive dyskinesia
How soon do the medications work?
Some effects (such as sedation) will appear soon after taking the drug but diminish as treatment progresses. However, it may take weeks or even months of taking medication regularly before the most important changes become fully established at a stable level. It may also take a long time before the effects of a change in treatment or in the dose of medication become fully apparent. This is why it isn't advisable to change drug or dose too frequently, although long-term medication should certainly be reviewed regularly, say every six months or even sooner if there are problems.
How do antipsychotics work?
They either act on the sites in the brain sensitive to dopamine, to serotonin, or both. They bind to these sites, ideally strongly enough to control the symptoms but not strongly enough to produce side effects, and to attach to both sites in the right proportion.
What is trazodone also used to treat?
Helps with sleep; helps with anxiety
What is the trade name for diazepam?
Valium
Name one side effect that smoking makes worse.
Dry mouth
How long do the effects of the drugs last?
How long the benefits of a drug last depends not only on the actual drug but also on its formulation and on how it is given. Longer-acting medication may be given in a special formulation by intramuscular injection and is known as a "depot" preparation because the drug is stored at the site of injection and is slowly absorbed into the body over a period of weeks.
Shorter-acting medication is usually taken by mouth as tablets, capsules or syrup. If a more immediate and certain effect is called for, a sterile solution may be injected intramuscularly or, rarely, intravenously.
All drugs you must take regularly to have a constant effect and control your illness. However, some drugs continue to have an effect once you stop taking them. This does not include controlling your symptoms but may lead to withdrawal symptoms, a kind of side effect of the drug. Stopping taking your medication may lead to your illness returning or to withdrawal symptoms. It is best to talk to your GP or psychiatrist if you want to come off any medication you are on.