LMSW: Psychotropic Medications by Diagnostic Category

Depressive Disorders SSRI:

Prozac (Fluoxetine)

● Celexa (Citalopram)

● Zoloft (Sertraline)

● Lexapro (Escitalopram)

● Paxil (Paroxetine)

● Luvox (Fluvoxamine)

Depressive disorders NDRI

Wellbutrin (Bupropion)

○ Other brand name Bupropion medications include Zyban and Aplenzin

○ All three can also be used as a smoking cessation aid.

What are SSRI’s most commonly prescribed for and how long does it take before the effect can be felt

commonly prescribed for antidepressant, tend to have fewer side effects

typically takes 2-4 weeks before the effect can be felt

MAOIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants:

MAOIs were the rst antidepressants, but are prescribed less often now due to dietary restrictions, having more serious side effects than SSRIs, and safety concerns. If an MAOI is taken when eating foods high in tyramine, tyramine can reach dangerous levels causing a spike in blood pressure requiring emergency treatment. Less commonly, MAOIs can cause serotonin syndrome, in which levels of serotonin are dangerously high (this can occur when taking more than one medication that raises serotonin). An MAOI or Tricyclic may be prescribed for treatment resistant depression that hasn’t responded to other classes of antidepressants, but are generally not a rst line of treatment for depression.

Possible side effects of SSRIs include:

Nausea and gastrointestinal issues, headache, insomnia, nervousness/agitation, decrease in sexual desire, fatigue, dry mouth, changes in appetite, or weight gain. SSRIs may increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior in children, adolescents, and adults younger than 25 years.

Anxiety disorders

Valium (Diazepam)

● Xanax (Alprazolam)

● Ativan (Lorazepam)

● Klonopin (Clonazepam)

What medication is in the drug class of benzodiazepines

Anxiety meds

Valium (Diazepam)

● Xanax (Alprazolam)

● Ativan (Lorazepam)

● Klonopin (Clonazepam)

what drug class is most commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders

Benzodiazepines

what are the possible side effects for the anxiety medications

Drowsiness, muscle weakness, slurred speech, light-headedness, unsteadiness or motor incoordination, or memory issues

what are the medications for mood disorders

Lithium

● Depakote (Divalproex Sodium)

● Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

● Abilify (Aripiprazole)

abilify is:

an add-on treatment to be used in conjunction with another medication for Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or Schizophrenia, when the other drug alone is not enough.

what are the possible side effects of mood disorder medications

Headaches, tremors, nausea or diarrhea, feelings of irritability or agitation, diculty sleeping, drowsiness or dizziness, or weight gain. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, but potentially serious side effect of Lamotrigine. It causes u-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and forms blisters. If a rash forms when taking Lamotrigine, the client should contact their doctor immediately.

ADHD medications

Ritalin/Concerta (Methylphenidate)

● Adderall (Amphetamine)

● Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine)

what are the possible side effects of ADHD medications

Loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach ache, headache, trouble sleeping, jitteriness, irritability, or increased heart rate or blood pressure

Schizophrenia medications

Haldol (Haloperidol)

● Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)

● Seroquel (Quitiapine)

● Risperdal (Risperidone)

● Zyprexa (Olanzapine)

● Clozaril (Clozapine)

What are the possible side effects of schizophrenia medications

Tardive Dyskinesia is a possible side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications to treat Schizophrenia.

what is tardive dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia causes involuntary movements of the tongue and lips, face, trunk, and extremities. There are a number of treatment options for this side effect, including two FDA approved drugs, Ingrezza (Valbenazine) and Zenazine (Tetrabenazine) as well as Anticholinergics, or muscle relaxers.