Invega (Paliperidone) is considered a newer spin-off of the antipsychotic Risperdal in that it contains the same active metabolite, but is thought to have fewer side effects and drug interactions. It was initially approved in 2006 for the treatment of schizophrenia and was since granted approval for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder in 2009. While …
Fanapt (Iloperidone) is an antipsychotic that was approved in 2009 for the treatment of schizophrenia. It functions similar to most current-market atypical antipsychotics in that it acts as an antagonist of the 5-HT2A receptor and D2 dopamine receptor. It is thought to produce fewer extrapyramidal side effects (e.g. akathisia) compared to other antipsychotics. The drug …
Saphris (Asenapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that was approved in 2009 for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is a relatively new atypical antipsychotic, and is considered a chemical derivative of the tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA) mianserin. It is manufactured in a sublingual format, which some may perceive as an upgraded or novel …
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a medication that was developed as a treatment for neuropathic pain and as an adjunct for seizures. It is also commonly prescribed off-label for conditions such as: restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, migraines, and even anxiety disorders. In fact, an estimated 9/10 prescriptions for the drug are for off-label conditions. The drug …
Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that most people associate with mood. It is a derivative of tryptophan and is present throughout the body in the CNS, GI tract, and blood. Most people have heard that if you have low serotonin, you’re more likely to be depressed, but not many have heard of high serotonin. While …
It is estimated that over 50% of all individuals in the U.S. aged 18+ have consumed an alcoholic beverage within the past month. Approximately 70% of people have consumed alcohol within the past year. While many people seriously enjoy drinking in social situations and “going out” with friends to bars on the weekends, others find …
Amitriptyline (Elavil) is the most popular TCA (tricyclic antidepressant) medication on the market. It is primarily utilized for the treatment of depression, and in other cases, migraine headaches and anxiety disorders. The drug functions primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of the serotonin transporter, which increases extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Although serotonin is primarily …