Medications That Psychologists Would Like to Prescribe
This document was developed by the California Psychiatric Association.
Drug Name
Use Danger
Antipsychotics
Schizophrenia or other psychoses.
Thorazine Mellaril, Haldol Prolixin, Risperidal, Zyprexa. Used to decrease
agitation, provide sedation, faciliate improvement of thought processing and to
reduce or eliminate hallucinations, and delusional thinking. Potentially
irreversible, involuntary movements of the face, hands and trunk. (Tardive
Dyskinesia) Increased hear rate, low blood pressure and EKG changes. Cases of
sudden and unexpected death have been reported. May also cause high fevers,
muscle rigidity, altered mental states and instability of blood pressure and
pulse; potentially fatal. (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome)
Clozaril Same as above. Life-threatening low white blood cell count. (Agranulocytosis)
High risk of seizures.
Antidepressants
Clinical depression, panic attacks.
Tricyclics (Elavil, Sinequan, Toframil, Norpramin, Aventyl and others) Used to
faciliate improvement in mood and to alleviate insomnia, decreased appetite,
poor concentration, fatigue, loss of interest, hopelessness, suicidal thinking
and other symptoms associated with depression. Overdose may cause cardiac rhythm
disturbance, stupor, coma and death. May result in heart block, hypertension and
postural hypotension. Also may cause coma, seizures, hallucinations, delusions
and tremor.
Desyrel Same as above. Priapism (prolonged and painful erection) requiring
surgical intervention, may result in permanent impairment of erectile function
or impotence.
Wellbutrin Same as above. Seizures may exceed those of other marketed
antidepressants by as much as two fold.
Serzone Same as above. Interacts with certain other medications.
MAO Inhibitors (Parnate, Nardil, and others) Same as above. Sometimes fatal
hypertensive crises.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs) (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and others)
Same as above. Caution advised with patients with disease that could affect
metabolism or hemodynamic response. Can increase blood level of other
medications to toxic levels.
Effexor Same as above. Increased blood pressure at high doses.
Tranquilizers
Generalized anxiety/panic attacks.
Valium, Ativan, Xanax and others. To decrease agitation, anxiety and tension and
to both treat and prevent panic attacks. (Schedule IV Controlled Substance) May
provide psychological and physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms similar to
those noted with barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, cramps, vomiting
and sweating) can occur with abrupt discontinuance. Can decrease coordination
and memory.
Hypnotics
Insomnia.
Halcion, Dalmane, Restoril and others To facilitate sleep. Potentially Lethal if
taken in combination with other drugs or with alcohol. Maybe habit forming. May
increase risk of depression in depressive-prone persons.
Lithium Carbonate
Bipolar disorder (manic depression) and other mood disorders. Risk of toxicity
is very high with lithium in patients with dehydration or renal disease.
Mood stabilizers
Depakote, Tegretol, and others To decrease manic excitement in the immediate
situation and to prevent mood swings when used over a longer period. Tegretol
may cause agranulocytosis (life threatening low white blood count). Depakote may
cause liver damage, particularly in children.
Stimulants
Ritalin and Dexedrine & others Used in children with attention deficit disorder.
Used in narcolepsy. (Schedule II Controlled Substance) Amphetamines have been
extensively abused by adults. Tolerance and extreme psychological dependence
have occurred with adults. Although a causal relationship has not been
established, suppression of growth has been reported with long term use in
children.
Cylert (Schedule IV Controlled Substance) Cylert is associated with liver
disease.
Antiparkinsonian
Cogentin, Artane and others.Taken from the 1997 Physicians Desk Reference (PDR).
Dangers listed represent only some of the potential side effects that may occur
with the administration of these medications.
To reduce or eliminate certain side effects caused by major tranquilizers.
Paralysis of the bowel, high fevers and heat stroke have occurred in patients
taking antiparkinsonism drugs in combination with antipsychotic or tricylcic
antidepressant medications.
