Pharm Psychotropic (mental) Drugs

Duloxetine - SNRIs - Treat depression and nerve pain by increasing serotonin + norepinephrine.

Cymbalta

Depression, Nerve Pain

Depression, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia

Monitor liver function in heavy alcohol users; can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, linezolid, other serotonergic meds.

Dosage forms: Delayed-release capsules.

Escitalopram

Lexapro

Depression, Anxiety

Depression, generalized anxiety

S-isomer of citalopram — similar precautions.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, other serotonergic agents.

Dosage forms: Tablets, oral solution.

Venlafaxine - SNRIs - Treat depression and nerve pain by increasing serotonin + norepinephrine.

Effexor XR

Depression, Anxiety

Can raise blood pressure at higher doses; discontinuation syndrome.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, other serotonergic agents.

Dosage forms: IR tablets, ER capsules.

Desvenlafaxine - SNRIs - Treat depression and nerve pain by increasing serotonin + norepinephrine.

Pristiq

Depression

SNRI class effects; discontinuation syndrome possible.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Extended-release tablets.

Bupropion - ATYPICAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS - Treat depression with different brain chemical actions.

Wellbutrin, Zyban (smoking cessation)

Depression, ADHD

Depression, smoking cessation

Lowers seizure threshold — avoid in seizure disorders or eating disorders. Can be activating (insomnia).

Do NOT take with: MAOIs (washout needed), other drugs that lower seizure threshold (e.g., tramadol).

Dosage forms: Tablets (IR, SR, XL).

Quetiapine - ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS - Treat mental health disorders by balancing brain chemicals (schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression).

Seroquel

Schizophrenia, Bipolar

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, adjunct depression

Sedation, metabolic effects (weight, lipids, glucose).

Do NOT take with: CNS depressants (increased sedation).

Dosage forms: Tablets, XR tablets.

Aripiprazole - ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS - Treat mental health disorders by balancing brain chemicals (schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression).

Abilify

Schizophrenia, Bipolar

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, adjunct in depression

Akathisia common; metabolic monitoring needed; boxed warning for increased mortality in elderly with dementia-related psychosis.

Do NOT take with: Strong CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 inhibitors/inducers without dose adjustment.

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODT, oral solution, IM injection.

Olanzapine - ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS - Treat mental health disorders by balancing brain chemicals (schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression).

Zyprexa

Schizophrenia, Bipolar

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Significant weight gain/metabolic risk; sedation.

Do NOT take with: CNS depressants without caution.

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODT, IM injection.

Risperidone - ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS - Treat mental health disorders by balancing brain chemicals (schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression).

Risperdal

Schizophrenia, Bipolar

Schizophrenia, bipolar mania, irritability in autism

May elevate prolactin; EPS at higher doses; boxed warning for dementia-related psychosis mortality.

Do NOT take with: QT-prolonging drugs (caution).

Dosage forms: Tablets, oral solution, long-acting IM injection.

Zolpidem - NON-BENZODIAZEPINE HYPNOTICS - Help people sleep by slowing brain activity.

Ambien

Insomnia

Short-term insomnia

Sleepwalking, unusual complex behaviors reported; timing with bedtime crucial.

Do NOT take with: Other CNS depressants (additive sedation).

Dosage forms: Tablets, CR tablets, sublingual forms.

eszopiclone - NON-BENZODIAZEPINE HYPNOTICS - Help people sleep by slowing brain activity.

Lunesta

Insomnia

Longer use → tolerance; metallic taste reported.

Do NOT take with: Other sedatives (additive).

Dosage forms: Tablets.

Sertraline - SSRIs - Treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain.

Zoloft

Depression, OCD

Depression, PTSD, OCD

Similar SSRI profile; GI adverse effects common.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, other serotonergic drugs.

Dosage forms: Tablets, oral concentrate.

Trazodone - ATYPICAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS - Treat depression with different brain chemical actions.

Desyrel

Depression; low-dose used for insomnia

Sedating; rare priapism risk.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, other sedatives without guidance.

Dosage forms: Tablets.

Fluoxetine - SSRIs - Treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain.

Prozac

Depression, OCD, bulimia, panic disorder

GI upset, sexual dysfunction; long half-life; avoid with MAOIs (serotonin syndrome); black-box for increased suicidal ideation <25 yo.

Do NOT take with: MAO inhibitors, linezolid, other serotonergic agents without spacing.

Dosage forms: Capsules, tablets, oral solution.

Citalopram - SSRIs - Treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain.

Celexa

Depression

Dose-related QT prolongation risk at higher doses; monitor.

Do NOT take with: Other QT-prolonging drugs, MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Tablets, oral solution.

Amitriptyline - TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS - Treat depression and nerve pain.

Elavil

Depression, neuropathic pain, migraine prophylaxis

Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation), orthostatic hypotension; lethal in overdose (arrhythmias).

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, other QT-prolonging drugs, alcohol.

Dosage forms: Tablets.

Paroxetine

Paxil

Depression, anxiety disorders

More sedating; notable discontinuation syndrome.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, linezolid, serotonergic agents.

Dosage forms: Tablets, suspension.

Mirtazapine - ATYPICAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS - Treat depression with different brain chemical actions.

Remeron

Depression, often used when weight gain is desirable

Sedating, increases appetite/weight gain.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODTs.

Vilazodone

Viibryd

Depression

Nortriptyline - TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS - Treat depression and nerve pain.

Pamelor

Depression, sometimes neuropathic pain

Similar TCA cautions but less sedating than amitriptyline.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Capsules, oral solution.

Risperidone - ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS - Treat mental health disorders by balancing brain chemicals (schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression).

Risperdal

Schizophrenia, bipolar mania, irritability in autism

May elevate prolactin; EPS at higher doses; boxed warning for dementia-related psychosis mortality.

Do NOT take with: QT-prolonging drugs (caution).

Dosage forms: Tablets, oral solution, long-acting IM injection.

Lithium - MOOD STABILIZERS - Control mood swings in bipolar disorder and protect brain stability.

Eskalith, Lithobid

Bipolar disorder (mania maintenance)

Narrow therapeutic index — monitor serum levels, renal and thyroid function; tremor/polyuria/polydipsia common.

Do NOT take with: NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, ARBs (can ↑ lithium levels) — avoid unless monitored.

Dosage forms: Tablets, capsules, oral solution.

Diazepam - BENZODIAZEPINES - Calm the brain and nervous system (anxiety, seizures, sleep).

Valium

Anxiety, muscle spasm, seizure adjunct

Long half-life active metabolites; sedation.

Do NOT take with: Opioids, alcohol.

Dosage forms: Tablets, oral solution, IV/IM, rectal gel.

Alprazolam - BENZODIAZEPINES - Calm the brain and nervous system (anxiety, seizures, sleep).

Xanax

Acute anxiety/panic

Sedation, dependence risk, respiratory depression with other CNS depressants.

Do NOT take with: Opioids, alcohol, other sedatives (additive respiratory depression).

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODT, extended-release tablets.

Clonazepam - BENZODIAZEPINES - Calm the brain and nervous system (anxiety, seizures, sleep).

Klonopin

Anxiety, Seizures

Seizure disorders, panic disorder

Long-acting benzo; dependence risk.

Do NOT take with: CNS depressants (opioids), alcohol.

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODT.

Lorazepam - BENZODIAZEPINES - Calm the brain and nervous system (anxiety, seizures, sleep).

Ativan

Anxiety, status epilepticus (IV)

Sedation; IV used for acute seizures; dependence risk.

Do NOT take with: Opioids, alcohol.

Dosage forms: Tablets, IV/IM injection, oral solution.

Buspirone - NON-BENZODIAZEPINE ANXIOLYTICS - Calm anxiety by working on the brain and nervous system without causing strong sedation.

Buspar

Generalized anxiety disorder (non-sedating)

Takes weeks to work; low abuse potential; not cross-tolerant with benzos.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs (risk of hypertensive crisis).

Dosage forms: Tablets.

Lisdexamfetamine - ADHD STIMULANTS - Improve focus and attention by stimulating the central nervous system.

Vyvanse

ADHD, binge eating disorder

Prodrug → lower immediate abuse by snorting; still C-II.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Capsules, chewable tablets.

Dexmethylphenidate

Focalin XR

ADHD

Amphetamine + Dextroamphetamine - ADHD STIMULANTS - Improve focus and attention by stimulating the central nervous system.

Adderall

ADHD, narcolepsy

Appetite suppression, insomnia, increased BP/HR; high abuse potential (C-II).

Do NOT take with: MAOIs (hypertensive crisis), other stimulants, caution with SSRIs (serotonin effects).

Dosage forms: Tablets, XR capsules.

Methylphenidate - ADHD STIMULANTS - Improve focus and attention by stimulating the central nervous system.

Ritalin, Concerta

ADHD

Similar stimulant effects and abuse potential.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Tablets, ER tablets, patches (for some formulations).

Temazepam - BENZODIAZEPINES - Calm the brain and nervous system (anxiety, seizures, sleep).

Restoril

Short-term insomnia

Sedating; next-day drowsiness possible.

Do NOT take with: Alcohol, other sedatives.

Dosage forms: Capsules.

Atomoxetine - ADHD NON-STIMULANTS - Improve focus without stimulant effects by working on brain chemicals.

Strattera

ADHD (non-stimulant option)

May increase suicidal ideation in children/adolescents (black-box warning); can raise HR/BP.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs.

Dosage forms: Capsules.

haloperidol- TYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS - Treat serious psychotic disorders by blocking dopamine in the brain.

Haldol

Schizophrenia, acute psychosis, severe agitation

High EPS risk (extrapyramidal symptoms), tardive dyskinesia risk long-term.

Do NOT take with: Other drugs that prolong QT interval without monitoring.

Dosage forms: Tablets, IM/IV injection, decanoate long-acting IM.

carbamazepine - MOOD STABILIZERS - Control mood swings in bipolar disorder and protect brain stability.

Tegretol, Carbatrol

Seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, trigeminal neuralgia

Strong CYP enzyme inducer → many drug interactions; rare aplastic anemia/agranulocytosis; hyponatremia.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs; many drugs due to interactions (monitor closely).

Dosage forms: Tablets, ER formulations, oral suspension.