Psychiatric and Neurological Medications

Sertraline

Class: SSRI | Brand: Zoloft | MOA: Inhibits serotonin reuptake | High-Yield: Sexual dysfunction, GI side effects, black box warning for suicidal thoughts

Escitalopram

Class: SSRI | Brand: Lexapro | MOA: Inhibits serotonin reuptake | High-Yield: Sexual dysfunction, GI side effects, black box warning for suicidal thoughts

Fluoxetine

Class: SSRI | Brand: Prozac | MOA: Inhibits serotonin reuptake | High-Yield: Long half-life, sexual dysfunction, black box warning for suicidal thoughts

Citalopram

Class: SSRI | Brand: Celexa | MOA: Inhibits serotonin reuptake | High-Yield: QT prolongation at higher doses, sexual dysfunction, GI side effects

Paroxetine

Class: SSRI | Brand: Paxil | MOA: Inhibits serotonin reuptake | High-Yield: Weight gain, sexual dysfunction, withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly

Venlafaxine

Class: SNRI | Brand: Effexor XR | MOA: Inhibits serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake | High-Yield: Can increase blood pressure, withdrawal symptoms

Duloxetine

Class: SNRI | Brand: Cymbalta | MOA: Inhibits serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake | High-Yield: Depression & neuropathic pain, can increase BP

Bupropion

Class: NDRI | Brand: Wellbutrin XL | MOA: Inhibits NE/dopamine reuptake | High-Yield: Low sexual side effect risk, lowers seizure threshold, smoking cessation

Amitriptyline

Class: TCA | Brand: Elavil | MOA: Inhibits serotonin/NE reuptake | High-Yield: Sedation, anticholinergic effects, dangerous in overdose

Trazodone

Class: Serotonin Modulator | Brand: Desyrel | MOA: Modulates serotonin receptors & reuptake | High-Yield: Sedation, orthostatic hypotension, rare priapism

Alprazolam

Class: Benzodiazepine | Brand: Xanax | MOA: Enhances GABA activity | High-Yield: Sedation, dependence risk, avoid abrupt discontinuation

Lorazepam

Class: Benzodiazepine | Brand: Ativan | MOA: Enhances GABA activity | High-Yield: Sedation, dependence risk, used for anxiety & seizures

Diazepam

Class: Benzodiazepine | Brand: Valium | MOA: Enhances GABA activity | High-Yield: Long half-life, sedation, dependence risk

Clonazepam

Class: Benzodiazepine | Brand: Klonopin | MOA: Enhances GABA activity | High-Yield: Used for seizures & panic disorder, sedation, dependence risk

Zolpidem

Class: Sedative-Hypnotic | Brand: Ambien | MOA: Enhances GABA receptor activity | High-Yield: Sleep-related behaviors, take right before bedtime

Quetiapine

Class: Atypical Antipsychotic | Brand: Seroquel | MOA: Blocks dopamine & serotonin receptors | High-Yield: Weight gain, sedation, metabolic syndrome

Risperidone

Class: Atypical Antipsychotic | Brand: Risperdal | MOA: Blocks dopamine & serotonin receptors | High-Yield: Extrapyramidal symptoms, elevated prolactin, weight gain

Aripiprazole

Class: Atypical Antipsychotic | Brand: Abilify | MOA: Partial dopamine agonist | High-Yield: Lower metabolic risk, akathisia, weight gain possible

Olanzapine

Class: Atypical Antipsychotic | Brand: Zyprexa | MOA: Blocks dopamine & serotonin receptors | High-Yield: Significant weight gain, diabetes risk, sedation

Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine

Class: CNS Stimulant | Brand: Adderall | MOA: Increases dopamine & NE release | High-Yield: Decreased appetite, insomnia, increased BP/HR

Methylphenidate

Class: CNS Stimulant | Brand: Ritalin | MOA: Blocks dopamine & NE reuptake | High-Yield: Decreased appetite, insomnia, monitor growth in children

Gabapentin

Class: Anticonvulsant | Brand: Neurontin | MOA: Modulates calcium channels | High-Yield: Dizziness, drowsiness, used for neuropathic pain

Pregabalin

Class: Anticonvulsant | Brand: Lyrica | MOA: Modulates calcium channels | High-Yield: Dizziness, weight gain, peripheral edema

Lamotrigine

Class: Anticonvulsant | Brand: Lamictal | MOA: Blocks voltage-gated sodium channels | High-Yield: Stevens-Johnson syndrome rash, slow dose titration, bipolar disorder

Levetiracetam

Class: Anticonvulsant | Brand: Keppra | MOA: Modulates synaptic neurotransmitter release | High-Yield: Mood/behavioral changes, dizziness, few drug interactions

Donepezil

Class: Cholinesterase Inhibitor | Brand: Aricept | MOA: Inhibits acetylcholinesterase | High-Yield: Alzheimer's disease, nausea/diarrhea, may cause bradycardia

Memantine

Class: NMDA Receptor Antagonist | Brand: Namenda | MOA: Blocks NMDA receptors | High-Yield: Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, dizziness, headache

Sumatriptan

Class: Triptan | Brand: Imitrex | MOA: 5-HT1 agonist causing cranial vasoconstriction | High-Yield: Take at migraine onset, avoid in CAD, chest tightness