Fioricet is a medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of three specific types of headaches including: tension, muscle contraction, and post-dural puncture. It contains a unique blend of a barbiturate (butalbital 50 mg), a pain reliever (acetaminophen 300 mg), and a stimulant (caffeine 40 mg); hence the reason it is sometimes abbreviated as Butal-Acet-Caff. …
Impulse control disorder (ICD) is an overarching classificatory label given to psychiatric disorders characterized by inability to resist impulses (or urges) that yield deleterious implications. Examples of impulse control disorders include: compulsive gambling, incessant sexual encounters, and binge shopping. If unrecognized and/or unaddressed for an extended duration, an impulse control disorder may ruin a person’s: …
Nearly all individuals taking Adderall can attest to the fact that its psychostimulatory effect is most potent after an initial “first-time” dosage. Thereafter, its efficacy is generally maintained for weeks, or perhaps months after the initial dosage with favorable results. However, eventually Adderall users may notice that its therapeutic psychostimulation seems to have dwindled and/or …
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric-acid) is a drug that was initially synthesized in 1874 by Alexander Zaytsev, but its effects weren’t researched in humans until the 1960s. Upon administration to humans, it was discovered that GHB functions as a short-acting CNS depressant. GHB alters neurotransmission via binding to multiple receptor sites within the brain including: GHB receptors and GABA(B) …
DXM (Dextromethorphan) is an antitussive agent comprised solely of a methylated dextrorotatory analogue of levorphanol, a semisynthetic non-opioid morphine derivative. It is classified as a “morphinan” drug and is an active ingredient within many over-the-counter (OTC) formulations utilized to treat allergies, coughing, influenza, and more. Examples of several popular over-the-counter formulations with DXM as an …
Promethazine is a first-generation antihistamine of the “phenothiazine” classification often prescribed for the treatment of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. It is commonly utilized as an adjunct to narcotic analgesics to increase their efficacy among those experiencing acute or chronic pain. Additionally, promethazine is sometimes administered for the treatment of the common cold and …
Spice and “K2” refer to various retail products containing herbs laced with synthetic cannabinoids. The synthetic cannabinoids within Spice and K2 are often considered functionally similar to THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannbinol) derived from cannabis in that they bind to cannabinoid receptors within the brain, and act as agonists. This cannabinoid receptor agonism facilitates intoxicating effects similar to …