Type of Drug
Names of Drug
Diagnoses Treated
Neurotransmitters/
agonist/antagonist
Side Effects
1st Generation
Antipsychotic
(antipsychotic)
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Haloperidol
(Haldol), Thioridazine (Mellaril),
fluphenazine (Prolixin)
Positive symptoms of
schizophrenia/other psychotic
disorders
Dopamine (D2) (blocks
dopamine receptors) antagonist
Anticholinergic effects, extrapyramidal side
effects, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic
malignant syndrome
2nd Generation
Antipsychotic
(antispychotic)
Clozapine (Clozaril), Risperadone
(Risperdal), Olanzapine (Zyprexa),
Quetiapine (Seroquel), Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Schizophrenia/other psychotic
disorders (equal to or better for
+ symptoms & better for symptoms than 1st gen)
Dopamine (D3 & D4) (blocks
dopamine receptors) antagonist
Anticholinergic effects, neuroleptic
malignant syndrome, metabolic syndrome,
agranulocytosis (monitor white blood count)
Some approved for MDD.
Seretonin (blocks receptors) antagonist
SSRI
(antidepressant)
Fluoxetine (prozac, sarafim), fluvoxamine
(luvox), paroxetine (paxil), sertraline
(zoloft), citalopram (celexa)
MDD, persistent DD, PMDD,
OCD, panic disorder, PTSD,
GAD, bulimia, premature
ejaculation
Serotonin (blocks reuptake) Agonist
- Some evidence it increases
dopamine & norepinephrine
Mild anticholinergic effects, gastrointestinal
problems, insomnia, sexual dysfunction,
and anxiety
SNRI
(antidepressant)
venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine
(Cymbalta), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
MDD, social anxiety disorder,
neuropathic pain, & other pain
disorders
Norepinephrine & Serotonin
(blocks reuptake) - Agonist
Mild anticholinergic effects, gastrointestinal
problems, insomnia, sexual dysfunction,
and anxiety, can cause HBP.
NDRI (norepinephrine
dopamine reuptake
inhibitor)
(antidepressant)
Bupropion (wellbutrin, zyban)
MDD, smoking cessation
Norepinephrine & dopamine
(blocks reuptake) - Agonist
Skin rash, decreased appetite, weight loss,
agitation, insomnia, dizziness, and siezures
TCA (tricyclic
antidepressants)
(antidepressant)
Amitriptyline (elavil), imipramine (tofranil),
clomipramine (anafranil), nortriptyline
(pamelor), desipramine (norpramin),
doxepin (sinequan)
MDD, panic disorder, OCD, and
neuropathic pain
Norepinephrine, dopamine,
and serotonin (blocks
reuptake) - agonist
Cardiotoxic/lethal in overdose,
anticholinergic effects, sedation, weight
gain, sexual dysfunction
MAOI
(antidepressant)
Phenazine (nardril), isocarboxazid
(marplan), tranylcypromine (parnate)
Treatment resistant or atypical
depression
Monoamine oxidase (stops it
from stopping dopamine,
serotonin, and norepinephrine)
Anticholinergic effects, hypotension, sexual
dysfunction, sedation, can cause
hypertensive crisis when taken with other
drugs/foods with tyramine,
Benzodiazepines
(anxiolytic)
Diazepam (valium), alprazolam (xanax),
lorazepam (ativan)
Anxiety, insomnia, seizures,
alcohol withdrawal
GABA (agonist)
Drowsiness, sedation, impaired
memory/concentration, anticholinergic
effects, sexual dysfunction,
disorientation/confusion in older adults.
Combining with alcohol can be lethal. Can
cause dependence.
Barbiturates
(anxiolytic)
Thiopental (pentothal), amobarbital
(Amytal), secobarbital (seconal)
Anxiety, anesthetic, insomnia,
siezures
GABA (agonist)
Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, ataxia,
cognitive impairment, & paradoxical
excitement. Combining with alcohol can be
lethal
Azaprione
(anxiolytic)
Buspirone (Buspar)
GAD & other anxiety disorders
N/A.. Does not cause sedation,
dependence, or tolerance.
Dizziness, dry mouth, sweating, nausea,
headache.
Narcotic-analgesics
(opioids)
Opium, morphine, heroin, codeine,
methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone,
fentanyl
Pre-surgery anesthesia & pain
reliever (methadone used to
treat heroin detoxification)
Endorphins & enkephalins
Constricted pupils, nausea, dry mouth,
drowsiness, postural hypotension,
dizziness, constipation, & respiratory
depression.
Beta-Blockers
Propanalol
Hypertension, cardiac
arrhythmia, migraine headache,
essential tremor, and physical
symptoms of anxiety.
Inhibit activity of the
sympathetic nervous system
Hypotension, decreased sex drive,
insomnia, vomiting, nausea, dry eyes,
dizziness, depression. Abrupt cessation
causes rebound of previous symptoms.
Lithium
(mood stabilizer)
Lithium (eskalith, lithobid)
Acute mania, classic bipolar
disorder
N/A. Lithium levels must be
checked regularly to avoid
toxicity, which can cause
seizures, coma, & death.
Nausea vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste,
increased thirst, weight gain, hand tremor,
fatigue, impair memory & concentration
Anticonvulsant Drugs
(mood stabilizer)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproic acid
(depakene)
Acute mania, bipolar disorder
with mixed episodes
N/A. Blood levels must be
monitored to avoid liver failure,
aplastic anemia, &
agranulocytosis (low white
blood cell count)
Nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, lethargy,
ataxia, tremor, visual disturbance, &
impaired concentration.
Drugs for Alzheimer’s
Disease
Donepezil, tacrine, rivastigmine,
galantamine
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cholinesterase inhibitors (delay
breakdown of AcH
Only donepezil approved for severe, rest
are mild/moderate
NMDA receptor antagonist
(regulates Glutamate)
Approved for moderate to severe
Increase dopamine and
norepinephrine activity in
prefrontal cortex
Insomnia, nausea, nervousness,
decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal
pain, growth suppression (can be reduced
by using drug holidays)
Memantine (namenda)
Psychostimulants
Methylphenidate (ritalin, concerta),
premoline (cylert),
amphetamine-dextroamphetamine
(adderall)
Non-Stimulant ADHD
drugs
Atomoxetine (strattera), guanfacine
(intuniv), & clonidine (kapvay)
Drugs for alcohol use
Disulfiram (antabuse), naltrexone (revia),
acamprosate (campral)
ADHD
Norepinephrine uptake
inhibitor, alpha-2 adrenergic
agonists
Disulfiram causes negative physical
symptoms when alcohol is consumed,
naltrexone reduces pleasurable effects of
alcohol, and acamprosate reduces cravings
for alcohol
Anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and tachycardia.
Tardive Dyskinesia: more common in women and older adults, life threatening, treat by gradually eliminating the drug, administer benzo, or switch to 2nd gen. Antipsychotic.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: life threatening. Stop using drug immediately & provide any necessary medical assistance.
Paradoxical excitement: response during sedation consisting of loss of affective control and abnormal movements.