Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD has historically been considered a disorder of childhood, it is now known that symptoms frequently persist into adulthood. A new pilot study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry provides the first data indicating that a newer …
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant global health concern, affecting over 280 million people worldwide. While numerous pharmacological options exist, challenges remain in achieving timely, robust, and sustained antidepressant response. Dextromethorphan-bupropion is a novel oral antidepressant recently approved by the FDA for MDD in adults that may address some of these unmet needs. Key …
Pantoprazole and Omeprazole are medications classified as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and are commonly prescribed for the management of medical conditions in which stomach acid reduction is of therapeutic benefit. Chemists at Byk Gulden, a subsidiary of Altana (a German chemical company), are credited with the synthesis of pantoprazole in 1985 – whereas Swedish chemists at …
Lexapro (escitalopram) and Prozac (fluoxetine) are two medications within the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) classification that are commonly administered for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The development of Lexapro (escitalopram) was initiated in 1997 by Lundbeck and Forest Laboratories – whereas the development of Prozac (fluoxetine) was initiated in the 1970s by chemists (Bryan Molloy …
Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are both classified as “gabapentinoids” (i.e. α2δ ligands). As gabapentinoids, Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are chemical analogues of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) that interact with α2δ subunit-containing voltage-dependent calcium channels. Development of gabapentin (Neurontin) was initiated in the 1970s by chemists at the pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis – …
Celexa (citalopram) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are chemically-analogous medications within the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) classification that are regularly prescribed for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders. Chemically, Celexa contains enantiomers S-citalopram and R-citalopram – whereas Lexapro solely contains S-citalopram (hence its chemical name “es-citalopram”). The chemical “citalopram” (Celexa) was originally synthesized in 1972 by scientists at …
Restoril (Temazepam) and Xanax (Alprazolam) are medications of the benzodiazepine classification that originally received U.S. FDA approval in 1981 as treatments for distinct medical interventions. Temazepam was approved as a short-term treatment for insomnia (intended to be used for 7 to 10 days) – whereas Alprazolam was approved as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder …