Psychotropics

There are 5 classifications of psychotropics listed below with the most common/recognizable types next to them. Some of them I have the drug name/trade name while others I only have the most recognizable form of what the drug is called. There are many more but to include them all would be over-extensive I think for the purposes of the exam. I really don't think names will be used at all but knowing the different types will be beneficial for exam plus practice.

Antipsychotic Medications – act in part by blocking dopamine receptors in order to inhibit excitability of the neurons. Typically only addresses the hallucinations and delusions but not the negative symptoms (loss of something whether speech, motivation, etc)

(i)                Conventional: Thorazine, Prolixin, Haldol

(ii)              Atypical (2^nd generation): Clozapine, Ability, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, Geodon

Antidepressant Medications - all have anti-anxiety effects as well; Some attempt to increase prevalence of norepinephrine and serotonin. 4 types:

(a)              MAO inhibiters (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors): Phenylzine/Nardil, Tranylcypromine/Parnate

(b)              Cyclic Antidepressants – Protriptyline/Vivactil

(c)               Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI): Celexa, Fluoxetine/Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft

(d)              Atypical Antidepressants: Bupropion/Wellbutrin, Trazodone/Desyrel, Duloxetine/Cymbalta

Mood-Stabilizing Drugs – for bipolar/mania: Lithium. If someone does not respond to lithium, other medications may be attempted such as Tegretol, Neurontin, Lamictal, Topamax, Depakote. These have higher therapeutic index which makes them more ideal but do not have the same effects.

Anti-Anxiety Medications –

(a)              Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan

(b)              Buspirone/Buspar

Psychostimulants – mimic action of adrenaline to create mood elevation, alertness, ecompetence (mostly used to treat ADHD): Adderall, Strattera, Ritalin, Concerta

 Bentley K.J. & Walsh, J. (2006). The social worker and psychotropic medication: Toward effective collaboration with mental health clients, families, and providers, 3rd ed.  Brooks/Cole, CA.