Zoloft was first introduced to the United States in 1980’s. Another name for Zoloft is sertraline and is in a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. At first Zoloft was made to treat major depressive disorder, but as the drug progressed over time it can now treat panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Zoloft is the most commonly used antidepressant because it works extremely well, it is safe, and its side effects are not as serious as other antidepressants. While manufactures say that Zoloft is safe to take there have been many instances where people using this drug have had fatal side effects. Starting off with the least serious side effect would be dry mouth. Also while taking Zoloft you can experience diarrhea and nausea. There have been cases where women taking Zoloft experience sexual dysfunction, they lose their enthusiasm for sexual intercourse and will not achieve an orgasm during sex. These side effect might carry on for years after you stop taking the drug. A more seri...
As previously stated, Lexapro is a Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are by far, the most frequently prescribed antidepressants ("Selective serotonin reuptake," 2013). SSRI’s work by increasing the levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain (Mandal, n.d.). Serotonin regulates some aspects of the brain including mood, sleep and emotion (Mandal, n.d.). People with depression have low levels of serotonin so the SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin, which means a greater amount of serotonin than usual remains available in the synaptic space between the two nerves (Mandal, n.d.). SSRIs relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, are rather safe and generally cause less side effects than other types of antidepressants ("Selective serotonin reuptake," 2013). Lexapro tablets are film coated, round tablets containing esxitalopram oxalate in strengths equal to 5mg, 10mg, and 20 mg ("Lexapro," 2004).
Nyquil has many side effects when miss used or when recommended dosage is exceeded. The consumer is not to use this product with any other products containing acetaminophen. Nervousness, dizziness, and sleeplessness are all side effects of this product. It causes drowsiness and can cause excitability in children. This is not to be taken if you have heart disease, asthma, emphysema, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, breathing problems, excessive phlegm (mucus), chronic bronchitis, persistent or chronic cough, cough associated with smoking, and difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland. Nyquil is also not to be taken if you consume more then 3 alcoholic drinks every day. Acetaminophen may cause serious liver damage.
Treating depressive and bipolar disorders with antidepressants remains a popular option in clinical practice. Most clinicians choose the drug or class of drugs, usually selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRI's, that is most effective and best tolerated with fewer severe side effects. These drugs are beneficial because they specifically target serotonin-based areas of the brain without affecting other neurotransmitter systems. SSRI's largely replaced tricyclic antidepressants which work by blocking the absorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, thereby increasing the levels of these two neurotransmitters in the brain. Tricyclic antidepressants present severe side effects and thus are usually only used when other treatments have failed. If SSRI's or tricyclics are not effective Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may be prescribed. MAOI's, enhance tyramine to increase norepinephrine and serotonin. While taking MAOI's you must abstain from foods and alcohol that contain tyramine such as, yogurt, aged cheese, and substances such as cold medications. This is because a potential toxic reaction could occur. Additionally, other antidepressants may be utilized such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) an NDRI-
Risperdal Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used to alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is defined by its effects in altering perception, thoughts, or consciousness called hallucinations or delusions. It affects about 1% of the population, with about 2 million people affected in the United States. About 50% of those affected become severely and permanently disabled and dependent upon public assistance. Schizophrenics make up about 10% of the totally disabled population and as much as 14% of the homeless.
Some of these side effects can include dry mouth, insomnia, fatigue, increased appetite, constipation and agitation. Relapse is also very common after discontinuing use of antidepressants causes the brain to push back even more against the neurotransmitters in the brain. It is also said that antidepressants were found to kill neurons which in turn can lead to cognitive decline and developmental problems. Another big label of “danger” on antidepressants is the “Black Box” warning. This is a warning that comes on many antidepressants that warn about the potential increase of suicidal thinking and behavior. This is the most serious type of warning when it comes to prescription drugs. There are many other negative effects from antidepressants but these can all be avoided with proper use of the medicine. When patients feel as though they have to depend on these medications, it can lead to an overdose which can be extremely dangerous. Side effects of OD can be delirium, rapid pulse, cardiac arrhythmias, coma, and even death. However, I am on antidepressants myself, and have been for the last year. I have never experience any of these life altering side effects, just the same side effects that could come from taking your everyday over the counter Tylenol. Just like the Black Box warning from earlier states, it is all prescription drugs, not just
Sildenafil Citrate, more commonly known by the brand name Viagra, has become one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America. Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. Erectile Dysfunction is best defined as the inability to maintain an erection necessary for sexual satisfaction. Sildenafil has been shown to be effective for a "broad range ED patients, including those with a history of mellitus, depression, … hypertension, diabetes, …and spinal chord injury" (Sildenafil Citrate, par. 29).
LSD stands for Iysergic acid diethylamide. LSD is a hallucinate know to be the most powerful drug of this kind. LSD is commonly known as acid. This drug changes a person’s mental state by distorting the perception of reality to the point where at high doses hallucination occurs. Acid is derived from a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is semi-synthetic. It’s manufactured chemically in illicit laboratories, except for a small percent, which is produced legally for research.
Less common side effects reported included abnormal taste, bleeding problems, chills, ear pain, fever, frequent urination, high blood pressure, loss of memory, palpitations, and ringing in the ear. The most common side effects reported in controlled study of patients receiving Prozac, and those receiving a placebo, patients receiving Prozac more frequently reported experiencing anxiety, dizziness, lightheadedness, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, fatigue, tremors, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, abnormal vision, decrease in libido, rash, sweating, and abnormal ejaculation (American Hospital Formulatory Services, AHFS, 2002). Of these patients, fifteen percent had to discontinue use of Prozac.
The only frequently occurring side effect was constipation, which occurred in 9% on ondansetron and 2% on placebo. Other less frequent side effects which included headache, rectal bleeding, backache and abdominal pain, were almost the same between the two groups.
Several studies have been done to try to determine what makes someone go from using a drug once experimentally to becoming a drug addict. One of the most popular theories was created by Inaba and Cohen that is called the Biopsychosocial Theory. This theory takes many different factors in hand to try to explain further how a drug addiction has been influenced using three different factors, heredity, environment, and the use of psychoactive drugs (Inaba and Cohen 75). It has been found that the “intial structure and chemistry of the nervous system” is passed down through many generations and that “behaviors seem to have an inheritable component (Inaba and Cohen 76). This shows that certain actions that are associated with drugs, gambeling, etc can be influenced by addictive behaviors that were prevalent generations ago. Environment plays a huge factor in determining how drug addiction will affect a person, family dynamics, age, race, peer pressure, and tragedy are reasons someone may feel compelled to use which could lead to later continual drug abuse. Lastly, the use of psychoactive drugs plays an essential part in turning an experimental phase into a full blown drug addiction.
During the 1960’s and the 1970’s, it was known as the “love drug.” The following decade, many witnessed the popularization of the “happy drug.” This drug is chemically known as MDMA, or methylenedioximetamphetamine. To many of the younger generation, it is dubbed as “Ecstasy” or “XTC.”
Ketamine Hydrochloride is an anethetic developed in 1962 by Dr Calvin Stevens. In the 1960's and 1970's, it was used on the battlefields of the Vietnam War. It had a strong painkilling effect, that did not affect the patients breathing. It's currently used as a human anesthetic and in veterinary medicine, most commonly used on horses. In its illegal form, ketmine is used to get high or even used for drink spiking.
Side-effects vary depending on the individual, treatment phase and specific medication. Here is a general list of potential side-effects:
Wong, D. T., Bymaster, F. P., & Engleman, E. A. (1995). Prozac (fluoxetine, Lilly 110140), the first selective serotonin uptake inhibitor and an antidepressant drug: twenty years since its first publication. Life sciences, pp. 411-441.