FDA Drug Safety Communication: Serious CNS reactions possible when methylene blue is given to patients taking certain psychiatric medications
Safety Announcement
[07-26-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of serious central nervous system (CNS) reactions when the drug methylene blue is given to patients taking psychiatric medications that work through the serotonin system of the brain (serotonergic psychiatric medications). Methylene blue is commonly used in diagnostic procedures and is also used to treat a number of medical conditions (see Facts about methylene blue box). A list of …

European Commission Approves XEPLION® for Treatment of Schizophrenia
Beerse, Belgium (March 9, 2011) — Janssen-Cilag International NV today announced that XEPLION® (paliperidone palmitate), a once monthly, long-acting injectable, antipsychotic, has received approval from the European Commission for the treatment of schizophrenia.
 Schizophrenia is relatively common and the prevalence is similar around the world. The lifetime risk for schizophrenia is estimated to be one person in 100, and appears to be the same for men and women up to age 60 years.[1] Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness for both the patients …

VALIUM® ROCHE® (diazepam)
Tablets 5 mg, 10 mg
THERAPEUTIC CLASSIFICATION
Anxiolytic-sedative
ACTIONS AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
‘Valium’ (diazepam) is an anxiolytic-sedative drug useful in the symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension states. It has also adjunctive value in the relief of certain neurospastic conditions.
ABSORPTION:
Diazepam is rapidly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, peak plasma concentrations appearing 30-90 minutes after oral ingestion.
DISTRIBUTION:
Diazepam and its metabolites are highly bound to plasma proteins (diazepam 98%). The volume of distribution at steady state is 0.8-1.0 L/kg. In humans, comparable blood levels of ‘Valium’ were obtained in maternal and cord …

Sertraline
Sertraline hydrochloride (trade names Zoloft and Lustral) is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It was introduced to the market by Pfizer in 1991. Sertraline is primarily used to treat major depression in adult outpatients as well as obsessive–compulsive, panic, and social anxiety disorders in both adults and children. In 2007, it was the most prescribed antidepressant on the U.S. retail market, with 29,652,000 prescriptions.
The efficacy of sertraline for depression is similar to that of older tricyclic antidepressants, but its side effects are much less pronounced. …

FDA approves Latuda to treat schizophrenia in adults
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Latuda (lurasidone HCl) tablets for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia affects about 1 percent of the U.S. population, ages 18 years and older, in a given year. The most prominent symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and behavior, and suspiciousness. Hearing voices that other people don’t hear is the most common type of hallucination. These experiences can make people with the disorder fearful and withdrawn.
“Schizophrenia can be a devastating illness requiring lifelong treatment,” said …

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs in both children and adults. ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants, such as:
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana)
Amphetamine (Adderall)
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat).
In 2002, the FDA approved the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera) for use as a treatment for ADHD. In February 2007, the FDA approved the use of the stimulant lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) for the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6 to 12 years.
What are the side effects?
Most side effects are minor and disappear when dosage levels are lowered. The most common side effects include:
Decreased appetite. Children …

Tricyclic antidepresants
What are tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) used for?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a group of medicines usually used to help treat people with depression. Medicines are often used to treat more than one condition, so if you are not sure why you have been prescribed a TCA, you should discuss this with your doctor. Types of TCAs are amitryptyline, clomipramine, dosulepin (dothiepin), imipramine, lofepramine, nortriptyline and trimipramine. Your medicine may also have a trade or brand name. This is the name that the manufacturer gives to the medicine, for example Anafranil® …

The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Anti-Anxiety Drugs
(Called Minor Tranquilizers, Benzodiazepines or Sedative Hypnotics)
Brand Names (Generic Names):
Ambien (zolpidem)
Ativan (lorazepam)
Azene (clorazepate)
BuSpar (buspirone)
Centrax (prazepam)
Champix (varenicline – in the UK)
Chantix (varenicline – in the U.S.)
Dalmane (flurazepam)
Doral (quazepam)
Equanil (meprobamate)
Halcion (triazolam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Lexomil (bromazepam)
Lexotan (bromazepam)
Lexotanil (bromazepam)
Librax (chlordiazepoxide and flidinium)

The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Antipsychotics
(Called Major Tranquilizers or Neuroleptics)
Brand Names (Generic Names):
Older Antipsychotics
Compazine (prochlorperazine)
Haldol (haloperidol)
Largactil (clorpromazine)
Lidone (molindone)
Loxitane (loxapine)
Mellaril (thioridazine hydrochloride)
Moban (molindone hydrochloride)
Navane (thiorixene)
Novo-Trifluzine (trifluoperazine)
Nozinan (methotrimeprazine)
Orap (pimozide)
Permitil (fluphenazine)
Phenergam (promethazie)
Proketazine (carphenazine)

The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Newer Antidepressants
(Including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs; Selective or Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors or SNRIs)
BRAND NAMES (generic names):
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors*)
1. Akarin (citalopram)
2. Apo-Sertral (sertraline)
3. Aropax (paroxetine)
4. Asentra (sertraline)
5. Celexa (citalopram)
6. Cipralex (escitalopram)
7. Cipram (citalopram)