Guanfacine is a drug that was developed primarily for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). It has been proven as an effective medication to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure via its effect on Alpha-2 adrenergic autoreceptors. It functions by stimulating these receptors (as an agonist) and reducing activation of the sympathetic nervous …
Clonidine is a drug that is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure. Clonidine is also commonly used as a treatment for anxiety and as an intervention to minimize drug withdrawal symptoms. On occasion, it is prescribed off-label for the treatment of PTSD, borderline personality disorder, stress, and insomnia. It functions primarily as an Alpha-2 …
Namenda (Memantine) is a drug that was approved by the FDA in 2003 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that Namenda has a small effect in reducing symptoms among those diagnosed with moderate or severe cases of Alzheimer’s. It appears to have no significant effect when administered to individuals diagnosed with milder cases …
There are many new medications that have been engineered specifically for the treatment of opioid dependence. Those dependent on opioids tend to experience debilitating physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. To help individuals discontinue illicit opioids like heroin, an “opioid replacement therapy” drug is often prescribed. Two of the most common opioid replacement therapy …
Individuals that have used any potent drug, particularly for a long-term and/or at high doses are known to experience significant short-term withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include things like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Over time, they usually lessen in severity as the nervous system and physiology adjusts to function without the presence of the …
Subutex and Suboxone are drugs that were approved by the FDA in 2002 for the treatment of opioid dependence. Both drugs contain the active ingredient buprenorphine, a semisynthetic opioid that acts as primarily as a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist. Buprenorphine also acts as an antagonist at the kappa and delta opioid receptors. Buprenorphine’s mechanism of …
Methadone was originally developed in Germany during the 1930s as a synthetic alternative to opium. Post World War II, the United States obtained all research records for the substance and noted that it was less sedating and less of a respiratory depressant than morphine. In 1947, Methadone was approved by the FDA for the treatment …