MEDS

Stimulants (ADHD)

Medications that increase norepinephrine and dopamine in the synapse.

Common stimulant drugs for ADHD

Methylphenidate and Amphetamines.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AD)

Medications that increase acetylcholine levels in the brain.

Common drugs for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Donepezil and Rivastigmine.

NMDA Receptor Antagonists (AD)

Medications that slow neuronal degeneration by blocking glutamate receptors.

Common NMDA Receptor Antagonist drug

Memantine.

Dopamine Replacement/Enhancement (PD)

Medications that replace or enhance dopamine in the brain.

Common drugs for dopamine replacement

Levodopa/Carbidopa and Dopamine Agonists (Pramipexole, Ropinirole).

COMT Inhibitors and MAO-B Inhibitors (PD)

Medications that prolong dopamine activity.

Common drugs for COMT and MAO-B inhibitors

Entacapone and Selegiline.

Anticholinergics (PD)

Medications that balance dopamine and acetylcholine in the basal ganglia.

Common anticholinergic drugs

Benztropine and Trihexyphenidyl.

Adverse effects of ADHD stimulants

Anxiety, insomnia, appetite suppression, cardiovascular effects.

Adverse effects of Alzheimer's drugs

Nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, GI bleeding.

Adverse effects of Parkinson's drugs

Nausea, dyskinesia, confusion, hallucinations, dry mouth.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Medications that block reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine.

Common SNRIs

Venlafaxine, Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Levomilnacipran.

Adverse effects of SNRIs

Activation or sedation, weight changes, sexual dysfunction.

Mirtazapine

An antidepressant that enhances norepinephrine and serotonin release, can cause weight gain.

Bupropion

An antidepressant that stimulates dopamine and norepinephrine with minimal sexual side effects.

Trazodone

An antidepressant that blocks 5HT2 receptors and is highly sedating.

GABA neurotransmission

Facilitated by benzodiazepines resulting in CNS depression and anxiolysis.

Common benzodiazepines

Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam.

Adverse effects of benzodiazepines

Sedation, dependence, withdrawal symptoms, CNS depression.

Buspirone

An anxiolytic that doesn't cause sedation, works as a partial serotonin agonist.

Pregabalin

Used for generalized anxiety and pain.

Hydroxyzine

A non-habit forming anxiolytic.

GABA-BZ drugs for insomnia

Include Zolpidem, Zaleplon, Zopiclone for sleep induction.

Melatonin receptor agonists

Drugs that mimic melatonin's effects and promote sleep, e.g. Ramelteon.

Lithium

A cornerstone treatment for bipolar disorder effective in suppressing mania.

Adverse effects of lithium

Tremor, mental confusion, thyroid issues, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medications that block serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin in the synapse.

Common SSRIs

Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Citalopram, Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine, Escitalopram.

Adverse effects of SSRIs

Sexual dysfunction, weight gain, GI upset, withdrawal syndrome, serotonin syndrome.

Nicotine addiction

Primary addictive substance in cigarettes, major cause of preventable death.

Medications for smoking cessation

Nicotine replacement therapy, Bupropion, Varenicline.

Black-box warning of Chantix

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts, especially in individuals with subclinical depression.

Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotic

Zolpidem, used for insomnia.

Activation effect

Common adverse effect of SNRIs, indicating stimulation of the CNS.

Dopamine Agonists

Drugs used to enhance dopamine, including Pramipexole and Ropinirole.

Benzodiazepine receptor agonist

Includes drugs like Zolpidem and Zaleplon, primarily used for short-term insomnia treatment.