MedicoTips.Com

Alprazolam is available in the market with the trade names of Xanax, Alp and many others. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Xanax is generally used to manage anxiety, stress and panic attacks. It shouldn’t be used to treat psychosis. Xanax (alprazolam) should be sold under prescription only. In developed countries, it is strictly sold under prescription but unfortunately, in many developing countries, it is being sold as an over-the-counter drug. A person can get Xanax by asking the medical storekeeper to give him some sleeping pills. He takes them, uses them according to his own wishes and when after some time, one tablet doesn’t work he adds one more. This is a very wrong practice. Alprazolam (Xanax) is not Paracetamol (acetaminophen) that can be used anywhere anytime. Many individuals do not know the proper usage of Xanax (alprazolam). Especially in developing countries where there is a lack of education and also due to the heavy flow of the patients to governme...

“Stress is an emotional or physical response of the body to a change in its external or internal environment,” said Miss Anum Pasha, in a stress management session of CDA Training Academy that was held in Pak-China Friendship centre Islamabad in October 2014. Miss Anum Pasha, a clinical psychologist well known for her excellent psychological skills, practices and abilities, further added “In order to manage your stress, the first step is to identify your stressors. Many people have stress in their mind, but they don’t know. First of all, sit down and think about what causes you the most stress. Once you identify it, accept it and then decide, what can you do to minimize the negative effects of that stress”. In order to measure the level of your personal stress level. Amy C. Scholten, developed a Personal stress scale. This is a very useful scale, it will help you to identify your stressors, will help you to accept them and let you know that how much stressed you are! Interpretati...

Q: Hello I have a question. My son has been on Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) for approx 8 months. 1 8mg film daily. Finally, he has smartened up and wants to be rid of this lifestyle forever. So on December 17, 2012, he took his last half. He had a prescription of tramadol from a previous injury so in order to eliminate the withdrawal from the suboxone he has been taking the tramadol. If it has been 13 days without any suboxone will he still go through the physical withdrawals from it? If so how long do they typically last? If he were going to suffer any withdrawals wouldn't they have already kicked in? Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. A: Ok tell me for how long had he took opioids? and ( which drug he was addicted to). Suboxone is used to treat opioid addiction. Was he addicted to other stronger opioids? Has he encountered any withdrawal symptom?  What kind of symptoms did he have? and is he absolutely fine now? Q: If I were to have to guess I would ...

Delusions -- Delusion is a false, firm belief in something which is not a fact. Delusions indicate psychological disorders such as schizophrenia . They are important from the medico-legal point of view. The patient may commit suicide, murder or other crime under the influence of delusions. Types Of Delusions.

Neuroleptics are antipsychotic drugs used for the treatment of schizophrenia . These are also called major tranquillizers. These drugs are also effective in the treatment of manic disorders, delusions and hallucinations. DRUGS and Their Classification. Typical Neuroleptics; Chlorpromazine Prochlorperazine Thioridazine Fluphenazine Haloperidol Thiothixene Chlorpromazine, Prochlorperazine and Thioridazine are low potency drugs Fluphenazine, Haloperidol and Thiothixene are high potency drugs. Atypical Neuroleptics: Aripiprazole Clozapine Olanzapine Quetipine Paliperidone Risperidone Ziprasidone Mechanism Of Action Of drugs: Neuroleptic drugs act through several mechanisms.  Typical neuroleptic drugs act through blocking Dopamine receptors such as D2 receptors . There are five types of Dopamine receptors from D1 - D5. clozapine blocks D4 receptor more than D2.  Those drugs which block the D2 receptors are responsible for extrapyram...

Monoamine Oxidase is an enzyme responsible for the inactivation of monoamines i.e, nor epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. By blocking this enzyme we increase the availability of these neurotransmitters in synapses. But one should monitor the blood pressure and cardiac condition. As the increased quantity of nor epinephrine can cause hypertensive crises in predisposed individuals. Following drugs come under this category Ø      Selegiline Ø      Phenelzine Ø      Tranylcypromine Indications: MAO inhibitors are indicated for depressive patients who are unresponsive to TCAs or TCAs are contraindicated (eg. Allergy). These agents are useful in the treatment of certain phobias. A condition called atypical depression can be treated by MAO inhibitors Adverse effects: Tyramine-containing foods must be avoided. Tyramine causes the release of stored catecholamines from nerve terminals, resulting in headache, stiff neck, t...

Tricyclic Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants inhibit the retake of both serotonin and nor epinephrine. TCAs also block alpha adrenergic receptors, serotonergic, histaminic, muscarinic receptors. And blockage of these receptors is the cause of a big profile of side effects. TCAs include the following drugs: 1)     Tertiary amines: Ø      Imipramine Ø      Amitriptyline Ø      Clomipramine Ø      Doxepin Ø      Trimipramine 2)     Secondary amines: Ø      Desipramine Ø      Nortriptyline 3)     Tetra cyclic antidepressants: Ø      Maprotiline Ø      Amoxapine Indications: ü      Moderate to Severe Depression ü      Panic disorder ü      Imipramine is used to control bed-wetting in childre...

Atypical Anti Depressants: Atypical antidepressants have actions at several different sites. They are not SSRIs or SNRIs. They have different mechanisms of actions. They are different in the side-effect profile and have additional beneficial effects and indications. However, they are more efficacious than TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) Following drugs come under this category Ø      Bupropion Ø      Mirtazapine Ø      Nefazodone Ø      Trazodone Bupropion: It is weak dopamine and nor epinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It has a short half-life and requires more than once dosing. The unique characteristic of Bupropion is that it reduces the craving for nicotine in individuals who wish to quit smoking. Side effects Of Bupropion:     Dry mouth     Sweating     Nervousness     Tremor     Increase risk of seizures at h...

Serotonin-Norepinephrine  Re-uptake  Inhibitors – SNRI’s SNRI’s inhibit the presynaptic reuptake of both serotonin and nor epinephrine. Those patients who don’t respond to SSRI,s may show response to SNRI,s These drugs are similar in the action of Tricyclic antidepressants but differ in side effects profile. SNRI’s have fewer side effects and are better tolerated than TCA,s. SNRI,s also reduces the backache and other neuropathic pains associated with depression. SSRI,s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have no effect on pain. The following two drugs come into this category Ø      Venlafaxine Ø      Duloxetine Indications: ü      Depression ü      Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (Fluvoxamine) ü      Panic disorder ü      Generalize anxiety disorder ü      Post traumatic Stress disorder...

1.      Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressant drugs, inhibit the reuptake of serotonin in the presynaptic terminal and increases the availability and hence, transmission of serotonin. Following drugs are used to inhibit the serotonin Reuptake. Ø      Fluoxetine Ø      Paroxetine Ø      Fluvoxamine Ø      Citalopram Ø      Escitalopram Ø      Sertraline Serotonin reuptake inhibitors have largely replaced the old Tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs have fewer side effects as compared to TCA,s. Indications of SSRIs: SSRIs are indicated in following disorders: ü      Depression ü      Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (Fluvoxamine) ü      Panic disorder ü      Generalize anxiet...