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Best patient index of psychiatric medications

Index of Medications

To find the section of the text that describes a particular medication in the lists below, find the generic (chemical) name and look it up on the first list or find the trade (brand) name and look it up on the second list. If the name of the medication does not appear on the prescription label, ask the doctor or pharmacist for it. (Note: Some drugs are marketed under numerous trade names, not all of which can be listed in a short publication like this one. If your medication’s trade name does not appear in the list—and some older medicines are no longer listed by trade names—look it up by its generic name or ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Stimulant medications that are used by both children and adults with ADHD are listed in the children’s medications chart).

Alphabetical List of Medications by Generic Name⁸

Generic Name	Trade Name
Combination Antipsychotic and Antidepressant Medication
Symbyax (Prozac & Zyprexa)	fluoxetine & olanzapine
Antipsychotic Medications
aripiprazole	Abilify
chlorpromazine	Thorazine
chlorprothixene	Taractan
clozapine	Clozaril
fluphenazine	Permitil, Prolixin
haloperidol	Haldol
loxapine	Loxitane
mesoridazine	Serentil
molindone	Lidone, Moban
olanzapine	Zyprexa
perphenazine	Trilafon
pimozide (for Tourette’s syndrome)	Orap
quetiapine	Seroquel
risperidone	Risperdal
thioridazine	Mellaril
thiothixene	Navane
trifluoperazine	Stelazine
trifluopromazine	Vesprin
ziprasidone	Geodon
Antimanic Medications
carbamazepine	Tegretol
divalproex sodium (valproic acid)	Depakote
gabapentin	Neurontin
lamotrigine	Lamictal
lithium carbonate	Eskalith, Lithane, Lithobid
lithium citrate	Cibalith-S
topimarate	Topamax
Antidepressant Medications
amitriptyline	Elavil
amoxapine	Asendin
bupropion	Wellbutrin
citalopram (SSRI)	Celexa
clomipramine	Anafranil
desipramine	Norpramin, Pertofrane
doxepin	Adapin, Sinequan
escitalopram (SSRI)	Lexapro
fluvoxamine (SSRI)	Luvox
fluoxetine (SSRI)	Prozac
imipramine	Tofranil
isocarboxazid (MAOI)	Marplan
maprotiline	Ludiomil
mirtazapine	Remeron
nefazodone	Serzone
nortriptyline	Aventyl, Pamelor
paroxetine (SSRI)	Paxil
phenelzine (MAOI)	Nardil
protriptyline	Vivactil
sertraline (SSRI)	Zoloft
tranylcypromine (MAOI)	Parnate
trazodone	Desyrel
trimipramine	Surmontil
venlafaxine	Effexor
Antianxiety Medications
(All of these antianxiety medications except buspirone are benzodiazepines)
alprazolam	Xanax
buspirone	BuSpar
chlordiazepoxide	Librax, Libritabs, Librium
clonazepam	Klonopin
clorazepate	Azene, Tranxene
diazepam	Valium
halazepam	Paxipam
lorazepam	Ativan
oxazepam	Serax
prazepam	Centrax

Alphabetical List of Medications by Trade Name

Trade Name	Generic Name
Combination Antipsychotic and Antidepressant Medication
fluoxetine & olanzapine	Symbyax (Prozac & Zyprexa)
Antipsychotic Medications
Abilify	aripiprazole
Clozaril	clozapine
Geodon	ziprasidone
Haldol	haloperidol
Lidone	molindone
Loxitane	loxapine
Mellaril	thioridazine
Moban	molindone
Navane	thiothixene
Orap (for Tourette’s syndrome)	pimozide
Permitil	fluphenazine
Prolixin	fluphenazine
Risperdal	risperidone
Serentil	mesoridazine
Seroquel	quetiapine
Stelazine	trifluoperazine
Taractan	chlorprothixene
Thorazine	chlorpromazine
Trilafon	perphenazine
Vesprin	trifluopromazine
Zyprexa	olanzapine
Antimanic Medications
Cibalith-S	lithium citrate
Depakote	valproic acid, divalproex sodium
Eskalith	lithium carbonate
Lamictal	lamotrigine
Lithane	lithium carbonate
Lithobid	lithium carbonate
Neurontin	gabapentin
Tegretol	carbamazepine
Topamax	topiramate
Antidepressant Medications
Adapin	doxepin
Anafranil	clomipramine
Asendin	amoxapine
Aventyl	nortriptyline
Celexa (SSRI)	citalopram
Desyrel	trazodone
Effexor	venlafaxine
Elavil	amitriptyline
Lexapro (SSRI)	escitalopram
Ludiomil	maprotiline
Luvox (SSRI)	fluvoxamine
Marplan (MAOI)	isocarboxazid
Nardil (MAOI)	phenelzine
Norpramin	desipramine
Pamelor	nortriptyline
Parnate (MAOI)	tranylcypromine
Paxil (SSRI)	paroxetine
Pertofrane	desipramine
Prozac (SSRI)	fluoxetine
Remeron	mirtazapine
Serzone	nefazodone
Sinequan	doxepin
Surmontil	trimipramine
Tofranil	imipramine
Vivactil	protriptyline
Wellbutrin	bupropion
Zoloft (SSRI)	sertraline
Antianxiety Medications
(All of these antianxiety medications except BuSpar are benzodiazepines)
Ativan	lorazepam
Azene	clorazepate
BuSpar	buspirone
Centrax	prazepam
Librax, Libritabs, Librium	chlordiazepoxide
Klonopin	clonazepam
Paxipam	halazepam
Serax	oxazepam
Tranxene	clorazepate
Valium	diazepam
Xanax	alprazolam

Children’s Medication Chart

Trade Name	Generic Name	Approved Age
Stimulant Medications
Adderall	amphetamine	3 and older
Adderall XR	amphetamine (extended release)	6 and older
Concerta	methylphenidate (long acting)	6 and older
Cylert*	pemoline	6 and older
Dexedrine	dextroamphetamine	3 and older
Dextrostat	dextroamphetamine	3 and older
Focalin	dexmethylphenidate	6 and older
Metadate ER	methylphenidate (extended release)	6 and older
Ritalin	methylphenidate	6 and older
*Because of its potential for serious side effects affecting the liver, Cylert should not ordinarily be considered as first-line drug therapy for ADHD.
Non-stimulant for ADHD
Strattera	atomoxetine	6 and older
Antidepressant and Antianxiety Medications
Anafranil	clomipramine	10 and older (for OCD)
BuSpar	buspirone	18 and older
Effexor	venlafaxine	18 and older
Luvox (SSRI)	fluvoxamine	8 and older (for OCD)
Paxil (SSRI)	paroxetine	18 and older
Prozac (SSRI)	fluoxetine	18 and older
Serzone (SSRI)	nefazodone	18 and older
Sinequan	doxepin	12 and older
Tofranil	imipramine	6 and older (for bedwetting)
Wellbutrin	bupropion	18 and older
Zoloft (SSRI)	sertraline	6 and older (for OCD)
Antipsychotic Medications
Clozaril (atypical)	clozapine	18 and older
Haldol	haloperidol	3 and older
Risperdal (atypical)	risperidone	18 and older
Seroquel (atypical)	quetiapine	18 and older
Mellaril	thioridazine	2 and older
Zyprexa (atypical)	olanzapine	18 and older
Orap	pimozide	12 and older (for Tourette’s syndrome—Data for age 2 and older indicate similar safety profile)
Mood Stabilizing Medications
Cibalith-S	lithium citrate	12 and older
Depakote	valproic acid	2 and older (for seizures)
Eskalith	lithium carbonate	12 and older
Lithobid	lithium carbonate	12 and older
Tegretol	carbamazepine	any age (for seizures)

Additional Resources:

• For related articles on psychiatric medications on the Web, click on: “Sphere: Related Content” located at the bottom of this blog post.
• For related books or blog posts with related content in Dr. Jeff’s and Dr. Tanya’s Blog, go to “Psychiatric Medications: General” or type in the keyword “psychiatric medications” into “Google Search” located in the sidebar.
• For more books with related content, click any hyperlinked keyword in the blog or type in the keyword, “psychiatric medications” into “Amazon Search” on the Amazon banner located in the side bar.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Dr. Jeffrey Speller

Dr. Tanya Korkosz

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England

www.psychopharmassociates.com

The best patient introductory guide on psychiatric medications for children, the elderly, and women of childbearing age

Medications for Special Groups

Children, the elderly, and pregnant and nursing women have special concerns and needs when taking psychotherapeutic medications. Some effects of medications on the growing body, the aging body, and the childbearing body are known, but much remains to be learned. Research in these areas is ongoing.

In general, the information throughout this booklet applies to these groups, but the following are a few special points to keep in mind.

Children

The 1999 MECA Study (Methodology for Epidemiology of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents) estimated that almost 21 percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 had a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that caused at least some impairment. When diagnostic criteria were limited to significant functional impairment, the estimate dropped to 11 percent, for a total of 4 million children who suffer from a psychiatric disorder that limits their ability to function.⁶

It is easy to overlook the seriousness of childhood mental disorders. In children, these disorders may present symptoms that are different from or less clear-cut than the same disorders in adults. Younger children, especially, and sometimes older children as well, may not talk about what is bothering them. For this reason, it is important to have a doctor, another mental health professional, or a psychiatric team examine the child.

Many treatments are available to help these children. The treatments include both medications and psychotherapy—behavioral therapy, treatment of impaired social skills, parental and family therapy, and group therapy. The therapy used is based on the child’s diagnosis and individual needs.

When the decision is reached that a child should take medication, active monitoring by all caretakers (parents, teachers, and others who have charge of the child) is essential. Children should be watched and questioned for side effects because many children, especially younger ones, do not volunteer information. They should also be monitored to see that they are actually taking the medication and taking the proper dosage on the correct schedule.

Childhood-onset depression and anxiety are increasingly recognized and treated. However, the best-known and most-treated childhood-onset mental disorder is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD exhibit symptoms such as short attention span, excessive motor activity, and impulsivity which interfere with their ability to function especially at school. The medications most commonly prescribed for ADHD are called stimulants. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta), amphetamine (Adderall), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat), and pemoline (Cylert). Because of its potential for serious side effects on the liver, pemoline is not ordinarily used as a first-line therapy for ADHD. Some antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) are often used as alternative medications for ADHD for children who do not respond to or tolerate stimulants.

Based on clinical experience and medication knowledge, a physician may prescribe to young children a medication that has been approved by the FDA for use in adults or older children. This use of the medication is called “off-label.” Most medications prescribed for childhood mental disorders, including many of the newer medications that are proving helpful, are prescribed off-label because only a few of them have been systematically studied for safety and efficacy in children. Medications that have not undergone such testing are dispensed with the statement that “safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.” The FDA has been urging that products be appropriately studied in children and has offered incentives to drug manufacturers to carry out such testing. The National Institutes of Health and the FDA are examining the issue of medication research in children and are developing new research approaches.

The use of the other medications described in this booklet is more limited with children than with adults. Therefore, a special list of medications for children, with the ages approved for their use, appears immediately after the general list of medications. Also listed are NIMH publications with more information on the treatment of both children and adults with mental disorders.

The Elderly

Persons over the age of 65 make up almost 13 percent of the population of the United States, but they receive 30 percent of prescriptions filled. The elderly generally have more medical problems, and many of them are taking medications for more than one of these conditions. In addition, they tend to be more sensitive to medications. Even healthy older people eliminate some medications from the body more slowly than younger persons and therefore require a lower or less frequent dosage to maintain an effective level of medication.

The elderly are also more likely to take too much of a medication accidentally because they forget that they have taken a dose and take another one. The use of a 7-day pill-box, as described earlier in this brochure, can be especially helpful for an elderly person.

The elderly and those close to them—friends, relatives, caretakers—need to pay special attention and watch for adverse (negative) physical and psychological responses to medication. Because they often take more medications—not only those prescribed but also over-the-counter preparations and home, folk, or herbal remedies—the possibility of adverse drug interactions is high.

Women during the Childbearing Years

Because there is a risk of birth defects with some psychotropic medications during early pregnancy, a woman who is taking such medication and wishes to become pregnant should discuss her plans with her doctor. In general, it is desirable to minimize or avoid the use of medication during early pregnancy. If a woman on medication discovers that she is pregnant, she should contact her doctor immediately. She and the doctor can decide how best to handle her therapy during and following the pregnancy. Some precautions that should be taken are:⁷

• If possible, lithium should be discontinued during the first trimester (first 3 months of pregnancy) because of an increased risk of birth defects.
• If the patient has been taking an anticonvulsant such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) or valproic acid (Depakote)—both of which have a somewhat higher risk than lithium—an alternate treatment should be used if at all possible. The risks of two other anticonvulsants, lamotrigine (Lamictal) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are unknown. An alternative medication for any of the anticonvulsants might be a conventional antipsychotic or an antidepressant, usually an SSRI. If essential to the patient’s health, an anticonvulsant should be given at the lowest dose possible. It is especially important when taking an anticonvulsant to take a recommended dosage of folic acid during the first trimester.
• Benzodiazepines are not recommended during the first trimester.

The decision to use a psychotropic medication should be made only after a careful discussion between the woman, her partner, and her doctor about the risks and benefits to her and the baby. If, after discussion, they agree it best to continue medication, the lowest effective dosage should be used, or the medication can be changed. For a woman with an anxiety disorder, a change from a benzodiazepine to an antidepressant might be considered. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may be beneficial in helping an anxious or depressed person to lower medication requirements. For women with severe mood disorders, a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is sometimes recommended during pregnancy as a means of minimizing exposure to riskier treatments.

After the baby is born, there are other considerations. Women with bipolar disorder are at particularly high risk for a postpartum episode. If they have stopped medication during pregnancy, they may want to resume their medication just prior to delivery or shortly thereafter. They will also need to be especially careful to maintain their normal sleep-wake cycle. Women who have histories of depression should be checked for recurrent depression or postpartum depression during the months after the birth of a child.

Women who are planning to breastfeed should be aware that small amounts of medication pass into the breast milk. In some cases, steps can be taken to reduce the exposure of the nursing infant to the mother’s medication, for instance, by timing doses to post-feeding sleep periods. The potential benefits and risks of breastfeeding by a woman taking psychotropic medication should be discussed and carefully weighed by the patient and her physician.

A woman who is taking birth control pills should be sure that her doctor knows this. The estrogen in these pills may affect the breakdown of medications by the body—for example, increasing side effects of some antianxiety medications or reducing their ability to relieve symptoms of anxiety. Also, some medications, including carbamazepine and some antibiotics, and an herbal supplement, St. John’s wort, can cause an oral contraceptive to be ineffective.

Additional Resources:

• For related articles on psychiatric medications on the Web, click on: “Sphere: Related Content” located at the bottom of this blog post.
• For related books or blog posts with related content in Dr. Jeff’s and Dr. Tanya’s Blog, go to “Psychiatric Medications: General” or type in the keyword “psychiatric medications” into “Google Search” located in the sidebar.
• For more books with related content, click any hyperlinked keyword in the blog or type in the keyword, “psychiatric medications” into “Amazon Search” on the Amazon banner located in the side bar.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Dr. Jeffrey Speller

Dr. Tanya Korkosz

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England

www.psychopharmassociates.com

The best patient introductory guide to medications for psychiatric disorders

Anyone can develop a mental illness—you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. Some disorders are mild; others are serious and long-lasting. These conditions can be diagnosed and treated. Most people can live better lives after treatment. And psychotherapeutic medications are an increasingly important element in the successful treatment of mental illness.

Medications for mental illnesses were first introduced in the early 1950s with the antipsychotic chlorpromazine. Other medications have followed. These medications have changed the lives of people with these disorders for the better.

Psychotherapeutic medications also may make other kinds of treatment more effective. Someone who is too depressed to talk, for instance, may have difficulty communicating during psychotherapy or counseling, but the right medication may improve symptoms so the person can respond. For many patients, a combination of psychotherapy and medication can be an effective method of treatment.

Another benefit of these medications is an increased understanding of the causes of mental illness. Scientists have learned much more about the workings of the brain as a result of their investigations into how psychotherapeutic medications relieve the symptoms of disorders such as psychosis, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

Relief from Symptoms

Just as aspirin can reduce a fever without curing the infection that causes it, psychotherapeutic medications act by controlling symptoms. Psychotherapeutic medications do not cure mental illness, but in many cases, they can help a person function despite some continuing mental pain and difficulty coping with problems. For example, drugs like chlorpromazine can turn off the “voices” heard by some people with psychosis and help them to see reality more clearly. And antidepressants can lift the dark, heavy moods of depression. The degree of response—ranging from a little relief of symptoms to complete relief—depends on a variety of factors related to the individual and the disorder being treated.

How long someone must take a psychotherapeutic medication depends on the individual and the disorder. Many depressed and anxious people may need medication for a single period—perhaps for several months—and then never need it again. People with conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness), or those whose depression or anxiety is chronic or recurrent, may have to take medication indefinitely.

Like any medication, psychotherapeutic medications do not produce the same effect in everyone. Some people may respond better to one medication than another. Some may need larger dosages than others do. Some have side effects, and others do not. Age, sex, body size, body chemistry, physical illnesses and their treatments, diet, and habits such as smoking are some of the factors that can influence a medication’s effect.

Questions for Your Doctor

You and your family can help your doctor find the right medications for you. The doctor needs to know your medical history, other medications being taken, and life plans such as hoping to have a baby. After taking the medication for a short time, you should tell the doctor about favorable results as well as side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and professional organizations recommend that the patient or a family member ask the following questions when a medication is prescribed:

• What is the name of the medication, and what is it supposed to do?
• How and when do I take it, and when do I stop taking it?
• What foods, drinks, or other medications should I avoid while taking the prescribed medication?
• Should it be taken with food or on an empty stomach?
• Is it safe to drink alcohol while on this medication?
• What are the side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
• Is a Patient Package Insert for the medication available?

Additional Resources:

• For related articles on psychiatric medications on the Web, click on: “Sphere: Related Content” located at the bottom of this blog post.
• For related books or blog posts with related content in Dr. Jeff’s and Dr. Tanya’s Blog, go to “Psychiatric Medications: General” or type in the keyword “psychiatric medications” into “Google Search” located in the sidebar.
• For more books with related content, click any hyperlinked keyword in the blog or type in the keyword, “psychiatric medications” into “Amazon Search” on the Amazon banner located in the side bar.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Dr. Jeffrey Speller

Dr. Tanya Korkosz

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England

www.psychopharmassociates.com

Why is it so hard to find a psychiatrist who does medication and therapy?

Patients who have a need for medication and psychotherapy are experiencing difficulty finding a psychiatrist who offers both services. A 2008 study titled, “National Trends in Psychotherapy by Office-Based Psychiatrists,” published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, examines this issue. The researchers analyzed data from a national survey of office-based psychiatrists. And the results? “Psychotherapy was provided in 5597 of 14,108 visits (34.0% [weighted]) sampled during a 10-year period. The percentage of visits involving psychotherapy declined from 44.4% in 1996-1997 to 28.9% in 2004-2005 (P < .001)…At the practice level, the decrease in providing psychotherapy corresponded with a decline in the number of psychiatrists who provided psychotherapy to all of their patients from 19.1% in 1996-1997 to 10.8% in 2004-2005 (P = .001).”

The Bottom Line: There are significantly fewer psychiatrists providing both psychotherapy and medication treatment to their patients.

Dr. Tanay Korkosz

Dr. Jeffrey Speller

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England

www.psychopharmassociates.com

Do ADHD children have problems with their working memory?

Do children who are diagnosed with ADHD have trouble with their memory? A new study reported in Clinical Psychiatric News, June 2008, vol 36, no. 6., sheds some light on this question. A study included 64 children aged 7 to 12 years old—35 ADHD children and 29 non-ADHD children. Both groups of children were given a test of their working memory called the digit span test. The results of the study were significant. The total score of the control was significant better than the ADHD group. Why is working memory important? The learning process requires that children be able to quickly store and retrieve new information. With impaired working memory capabilities, ADHD children are at a significant disadvantage in the educational environment. Dr. Roychoudhury, the author of the study, states in ADHD children “working memory is low and children have difficulty in remembering material, especially pertaining to dates in social studies and sequencing information appropriately in science and social studies. In mathematics, they have significant problems in procedures since they have to remember in a stepwise fashion how to do the calculation.” This study raises a number of questions, particularly for parents of ADHD children. Should all ADHD children be screened for working memory deficits prior to beginning the educational process? If an AHDH child is discovered to have working memory deficits, what is the best treatment for the child? And what can the parents do in the home environment to help improve the ADHD child’s working memory? All questions that will have to await further study.

The Bottom Line: This date in this study suggest that children who are diagnosed with ADHD may have significant working memory problems significantly impairing their educational performance.

Reference: http://www.clinicalpsychiatrynews.com/article/S0270-6644(08)70391-6/fulltext

Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Psychopharmacology Associates
of New England
www.psychopharmassociates.com