mental health

Beta blockers vs. Xanax: Facts, Side Effects & Drug Interactions

Beta blockers vs. Xanax Beta blockers and Xanax (alprazolam) are drugs prescribed for anxiety. A difference is beta-blockers are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart problems, and they are prescribed off-label for anxiety. Xanax is a different kind of drug, a benzodiazepine that is a type of tranquilizer, widely prescribed for anxiety. …

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Gabapentin vs. Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety & Panic Disorders

What’s the difference between gabapentin and Xanax? Gabapentin and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety. A difference is that gabapentin is primarily an anti-seizure (anticonvulsant) drug used for preventing seizures and for treating post-herpetic neuralgia, the pain that follows an episode of shingles. Gabapentin is used off-label to treat anxiety. Xanax belongs to a different drug class called benzodiazepines, …

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Xanax (alprazolam) Side Effects, Dosage & Withdrawal

What is Xanax? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Alprazolam (Xanax XR, Niravam), is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine drug family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical …

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Vyvanse vs. Adderall ADHD Drug Side Effects, Dosage, and Pregnancy

Vyvanse vs. Adderall comparison of differences Adderall and Vyvanse are amphetamines, which are stimulants that increase the level of important chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Amphetamines are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Vyvanse is approved to treat these disorders as well as moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder. The difference between the drugs is that Adderall contains …

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fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin): Antipsychotic Side Effects & Dosage

What is oral fluphenazine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Fluphenazine is an oral antipsychotic medication used for the management of schizophrenia. Fluphenazine is one of the older, first-generation piperazine phenothiazine antipsychotic medications. Examples of other phenothiazines include: prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro, Procomp), chlorpromazine (Promapar, Thorazine), perphenazine, trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and thioridazine (Mellaril). Although the exact mechanism of phenothiazine antipsychotics …

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Clomipramine (Anafranil): OCD Drug Dosage & Side Effects

What is clomipramine? What is clomipramine used for? Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a psychotropic agent used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine shares structural similarities with a class of antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The exact mechanism by which clomipramine exerts its therapeutic benefits is not fully understood. However, similar to other TCAs, clomipramine is thought to enhance the actions …

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chlordiazepoxide (Librium): Side Effects & Dosage for Alcohol Withdrawal

What is chlordiazepoxide, and what is it used for? Chlordiazepoxide is a psychotropic agent that is used to manage symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. It is a long acting benzodiazepine that is available for oral administration. Examples of other members of the benzodiazepine include: diazepam (Valium) clonazepam (Klonopin) lorazepam (Ativan) flurazepam (Dalmane) Chlordiazepoxide has anti-anxiety, sedative, appetite-stimulating, and weak pain …

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iloperidone (Fanapt): Schizophrenia Drug Side Effects & Dosage

What is iloperidone? What are the side effects of iloperidone? Iloperidone is an oral, atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. Other atypical antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone (Geodon), and aripiprazole (Abilify). Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics because they cause a lesser degree of movement (extrapyramidal) side effects and constipation. The exact mechanism of action of iloperidone …

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asenapine (Saphris): Schizophrenia Drug Side Effects & Dosage

What is asenapine? What is asenapine used for? Asenapine is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. Other atypical antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone (Geodon), iloperidone (Fanapt) and aripiprazole (Abilify). Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics because they cause a lesser degree of movement (extrapyramidal) side effects and constipation. The exact mechanism of action of asenapine is …

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paliperidone palmitate (Invega Sustenna) Side Effects

What is Invega Sustenna? What is it used for? Invega Sustenna (paliperidone palmitate) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. It is a long acting form of paliperidone (Invega). Other atypical antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone (Geodon), iloperidone (Fanapt), asenapine (Saphris) and aripiprazole (Abilify). Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics because they cause a lesser degree …

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