Antipsychotics
This type of extrapyramidal side effect involves involuntary muscle spasms (jaw, tongue, eyes, possibly laryngospasm) and is more common in young males, often treated with anticholinergics or Benadryl.
What is dystonia?
Originally developed as a solvent, this medication is now recognized for its mood-stabilizing properties and is effective in treating rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
What is Valproic Acid?
This class of medications is commonly prescribed for various conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, acute mania, and agitation. Their anxiolytic effects are primarily due to the modulation of the GABA neurotransmitter system, which allows them to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively. Chronic use requires careful monitoring due to the potential for dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, benzodiazepines are often used for the short-term management of insomnia and as anticonvulsants.
What are benzodiazepines?
This atypical antidepressant, which is also used for smoking cessation, works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine.
What is Bupropion (Wellbutrin)?
This medication, commonly used to treat mild to moderate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease, works by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, thereby enhancing cholinergic function.
What is Donepezil?
This first-generation antipsychotic, developed in the 1950s, was originally created to reduce post-surgical psychosis, is derived from phenothiazine and is used to treat schizophrenia, acute mania, and other conditions, but may worsen negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
What is Chlorpromazine?
This mood stabilizer is also used in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut seizures and has been reported to help with aggression in certain disorders.
What is Lamotrigine (Lamictal)?
This anxiolytic medication is primarily indicated for generalized anxiety disorder and acts as a 5HT1A agonist, helping to reduce anxiety without causing sedation or weight gain.
What is Buspirone?
Patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors must avoid foods high in this substance, as it can lead to dangerous increases in blood pressure.
What is tyramine?
This cognitive enhancer is known for its rapid metabolism (1 hour half life) and is often prescribed for patients with Alzheimer's disease, but it requires careful monitoring due to its potential side effects, including nausea and diarrhea.
What is Rivastigmine?
This atypical antipsychotic, indicated for schizophrenia and as adjunctive treatment for depression, is a D2 partial agonist and is metabolized primarily by CYP450 2D6 and CYP450 3A4.
What is Rexulti (brexpiprazole)?
Mood stabilizers primarily enhance the actions of this neurotransmitter while reducing the actions of another, helping to control seizures and mood swings.
What is GABA? Reduce glutamate
This medication, primarily approved for the treatment of seizures, is often used off-label for anxiety, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain, despite its controversial marketing practices and significant legal issues faced by its manufacturer.
What is Gabapentin?
This tricyclic antidepressant, commonly used for chronic pain and migraine prevention, is noted for being the most lethal in overdose situations, often leading to cardiac arrhythmias.
What is Amitriptyline?
This cognitive enhancer, extracted from daffodils, which is also used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is associated with side effects such as bradycardia and gastrointestinal disturbances, and it works by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain.
What is Galantamine?
This atypical antipsychotic, indicated for schizophrenia and bipolar 1 manic/mixed episodes, works as a D2 partial agonist with a unique high affinity for D3 receptors, has a starting dose of 1.5 mg, and is known for its long half-life of 2 to 4 days.
What is Vraylar (cariprazine)?
This medication, structurally similar to imipramine, is considered a second-line treatment for acute mania and is also used for trigeminal neuralgia and temporal lobe epilepsy.
What is Carbamazepine?
This class of medications is commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, with side effects that may include increased anxiety, insomnia, emotional blunting, and gastrointestinal issues, affecting up to 30% of patients.
What are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
This antidepressant is structurally similar to trazodone and functions as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor while also acting as a 5HT1A agonist, potentially reducing sexual side effects and weight gain compared to other SSRIs.
What is Vilazodone?
This cognitive enhancer has a half-life of 70 hours in the elderly and is primarily metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, making it important to monitor for drug interactions.
What is Donepezil?
This atypical antipsychotic, approved by the FDA in 2016, is specifically indicated for treating psychosis in Parkinson's Disease without worsening movement disorders.
What is Nuplazid (pimavanserin)?
These are the primary indications of a mood stabilizer that was first rediscovered in 1949, is known for its unique mechanism of action that does not involve the treatment of seizures, and it has been shown to reduce the risk of suicide in patients. However, it carries a risk of Ebstein's anomaly when used during the first trimester of pregnancy, making the mood stabilizer's use in this population a complex decision.
What are for the acute and maintenance treatment of mania, as well as adjunctive treatment for depression?
This serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is indicated for generalized anxiety disorder and is known for its potential to cause increased blood pressure at higher doses, as well as a discontinuation syndrome if stopped abruptly.
What is Venlafaxine (Effexor)?
This medication, a dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is noted for its higher selectivity for norepinephrine reuptake compared to serotonin and may also inhibit a beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme, potentially impacting Alzheimer's disease treatment. What is this medication?
What is Fetzima (levomilnacipran)?
This cognitive enhancer's clearance can be reduced by 20% in patients with cirrhosis, highlighting the need for dosage adjustments in this population.
What is Donepezil?