Recently I wrote an article documenting the most addictive drugs based on a study conducted in 2007 by David Nutt. The study also included some newer findings from an undocumented Dutch study that some news websites had published. In both the study by David Nutt and the Dutch study, the most addictive drug in the …
The technical definition of a drug is “any chemical substance that affects the central nervous system.” Determining the most addictive drugs has been a challenge for researchers and results have been controversial throughout the years. Additionally agreeing on a proper definition for “addiction” and criteria by which it can be measured is somewhat difficult. The …
A new meta-analysis recently showed that the antidepressant Paxil (Paroxetine) is only slightly more effective than a placebo for both depression and anxiety disorders. Prior to this finding, it was assumed that all SSRI antidepressants were significantly more effective than a placebo, hence getting approval to treat depression. In the article I wrote entitled “Do …
Seroquel (Quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used primarily for the treatment of schizophrenia and in some cases, bipolar disorder. It is also a relatively popular antidepressant augmentation strategy for individuals who don’t respond to monotherapeutic options. Off-label some doctors prescribe it at low doses for Tourette syndrome, insomnia and anxiety disorders, despite …
Risperdal (Risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is primarily utilized to manage symptoms of schizophrenia. Additionally the drug is commonly prescribed for other conditions such as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and for irritability associated with autism. It was initially approved by the FDA in 1994 and at the time was considered to be an …
In September 2014, the FDA recently approved a new weight loss drug Contrave. This drug is considered the third pharmaceutical treatment for obesity in the United States. Although it probably seems odd to mention a weight loss drug on a mental health website, the fact is that this new drug is a formulation of two …
Haldol (Haloperidol) is a medication that is most commonly used to treat schizophrenia. In some cases it is also used to help manage acute psychosis, mania in bipolar disorder, and tics in Tourette syndrome. It is considered a first-generation “typical” antipsychotic drug and was initially approved by the FDA in 1967. Haldol is a regarded …