Antidepressants
This class of antidepressants includes fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine
What are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)?
This benzodiazepine is commonly used for acute anxiety and panic attacks.
What is Alprazolam (Xanax)?
This classic mood stabilizer requires regular blood level monitoring to prevent toxicity.
What is Lithium?
Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, requires routine monitoring of this lab value to check for agranulocytosis.
What is WBC (White Blood Cell count)?
This popular non-benzodiazepine is used to treat insomnia but may cause sleepwalking or amnesia.
What is Zolpidem (Ambien)?
This stimulant medication is commonly prescribed for ADHD and has a high risk of abuse.
What is Methylphenidate (Ritalin)?
This medication is used to treat Parkinson’s disease and works by increasing dopamine in the brain.
What is Levodopa-Carbidopa (Sinemet)?
This type of antidepressant requires avoiding tyramine-rich foods to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
What are MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)?
This non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic does not cause dependence and is often used for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
What is Buspirone (Buspar)?
This anticonvulsant mood stabilizer has a serious risk of causing Stevens-Johnson syndrome and requires monitoring for rash.
What is Lamotrigine (Lamictal)?
This serious side effect of long-term antipsychotic use causes involuntary movements of the face, tongue, and extremities.
What is Tardive Dyskinesia?
This melatonin receptor agonist is used for insomnia and does not cause dependence like benzodiazepines.
What is Ramelteon (Rozerem)?
This non-stimulant ADHD medication works by increasing norepinephrine levels.
What is Atomoxetine (Strattera)?
This medication is combined with Levodopa to prevent its breakdown before reaching the brain, making treatment for Parkinson’s disease more effective.
What is Carbidopa?
This atypical antidepressant is commonly used for smoking cessation and does not cause sexual dysfunction like SSRIs.
What is Bupropion (Wellbutrin)?
Benzodiazepine overdose can be reversed using this antidote.
What is Flumazenil?
This anticonvulsant mood stabilizer is commonly used for bipolar disorder but requires liver function tests (LFTs) due to the risk of hepatotoxicity.
What is Valproate (Depakote)?
This life-threatening side effect of antipsychotics includes fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
This barbiturate was once commonly used for anxiety but is now rarely prescribed due to overdose risk.
What is Phenobarbital?
Stimulant medications for ADHD increase the levels of these two neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and impulse control.
What are dopamine and norepinephrine?
This medication is often given to counteract extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) from antipsychotics.
What is Benztropine (Cogentin)?