Medications

A variety of medications may be used to treat symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive illness), anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Medications may be used alone, or in conjunction with therapy and counseling.

Your physician will work closely with you to determine whether medication is appropriate and which medications will work best for you. You'll be asked about your medical history; family history; information about allergies; other medications, supplements or herbal remedies you take; and other details about your overall health.

Common types of medication include:

Anti-Depressants

Most antidepressant medications are believed to work by slowing the removal of certain chemicals from the brain. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine) are necessary for normal brain function, thought processes, mood, etc. By restoring the brain's chemical balance, antidepressants help relieve the symptoms of depression.

Many of these medications are also effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

• SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a common class of antidepressants that are generally well-tolerated. Side effects can include  with fairly mild side effects. They include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro.
• SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, or dual uptake inhibitors) are similar to  SSRIs, except that they also affect norepinephrine (another chemical in the brain). SNRIs used to treat depression include Cymbalta and Effoxor. 
• NDRIs (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors) are reuptake inhibitors for the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Wellbutrin is an NDRI.
• Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) belong to a much earlier class of antidepressants than SSRIs, SNRIs and NDRIs. Although they can be effective, they are not used as often as the newer medications because of the potential for numerous and severe side effects.

Side effects of the newer antidepressants can range from nausea or headache to dry mouth, weight loss or gain, and hypertension. Be sure to have your physician discuss possible side effects of any antidepressant medications you are taking.

Anti-Psychotics

Antipsychotic medications are used to treat schizophrenia and schizophrenia-related disorders. They include:

 

• First-generation antipsychotics, such as haloperidol (Haldol) or chlorpromazine (Thorazine), which are used to reduce anxiety and agitation, and to stop delusions and hallucinations. These medicines can be very effective, but they often have significant side effects.
• Second-generation antipsychotics, such as risperidone (Risperdal), paliperidone (Invega), olanzapine (Zyprexa), ziprasidone (Geodon), and quetiapine (Seroquel). These medicines effectively treat symptoms of schizophrenia and may help reduce the risk for relapse. Clozapine, such as Clozaril or Leponex, is usually considered a second-generation antipsychotic. This drug is approved in the United States for treating suicidal behavior associated with schizophrenia and for severe schizophrenia which has not improved with other treatment.
• Antianxiety medicines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (for example, Valium), to reduce anxiety and nervousness.
• Lithium carbonate, such as Lithobid, Lithane, and Eskalith, to regulate moods.