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 …

Alprazolam
Alprazolam (trade name Xanax, among others) is a potent short-acting drug of the benzodiazepine class. It is primarily used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety disorder) and panic attacks, and is used as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety associated with moderate depression. It is available in an instant release and an extended-release (Xanax XR) preparation, both of which are available under several generic names. Alprazolam possesses anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.
Alprazolam has a fast onset of symptom relief (within the first week). It …

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. …

Discontinuing Antidepressants – what you need to know
Are antidepressants addictive?
Antidepressants do not cause an addiction as with opioid drugs (such as heroin), barbiturates, amphetamines (speed), alcohol and nicotine. This means that taking your medicine regularly should not cause tolerance or craving.
• Tolerance: This occurs when the body gets used to the drug or medicine when it is taken regularly, so that you need to take higher doses to have the same effect.
• Craving: This is a physical urge, where the body needs the drug or medicine to maintain a desired …

The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Lithium

Brand Names (generic names):
Cibalith-S (lithium)
Eskalith (lithium)
Lithane (lithium)
Lithizime (lithium)
Lithobid (lithium)
Lithonate (lithium)
Lithotabs (lithium)
Side Effects:
Acne
Birth defects if given to a
pregnant woman
Blackout spells
Blurred vision
Cardiac arrhythmia
Change in the ability to taste food

The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Barbiturates
Brand Names (generic names):
Amytal (amobarbital)
Butalan (butabarbital)
Butisol (butabarbital)
Luminal (phenobarbitone)
Mebaral (mephobarbial)
Nembutal (pentobarbital)
Seconal (secobarbital)

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: Older Antidepressants
(Including Tricyclics, Tetracyclics and MAOIs)
Brand Names (Generic Names):
Tricyclics
Adapin (doxepin)
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Aventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Endep (amitriptyline)
Etrafon (amitriptyline and perphenazine)
Janimine (imipramine)
Maneon (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine hydrochloride)
Nortilen (nortriptyline)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Pertofrane (norpramin)
Saroten (amitriptyline)
Sinequan (doxepin hydrochloride)

TEGRETOL Novartis
Carbamazepine
Use:
Anticonvulsant, antimanic agent. Epilepsy: Adults and children > 12 years – initially, 100-200 mg once or twice a day; increased in divided doses until best response obtained. Optimal daily dosage: 800-1200 mg. Rarely, some adults may require 1600 mg/day. As soon as disappearance of seizures has been obtained and maintained, reduce dosage very gradually to minimum effective dose. Children 6-12 years: Initially, 100 mg in divided doses on first day; increased by 100mg/day until best response obtained. Maximum daily dosage: 1000mg.
Trigeminal neuralgia: Initially, 100 mg twice daily; increased …