Class: MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
Benefits: Used to treat treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Side Effects: Dizziness, sedation gastrointestinal symptoms, low blood pressure, changes in appetite and weight.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Nardil	phenelzine	These medications are rarely used in children and adolescents. Tyramine, an amino acid in some foods can interact with these medications to trigger severe high blood pressure. People taking them must follow a restricted diet (Emsam at lower doses does not require the diet).
Parnate	tranylcypromine
Emsam patch	selegiline

Class: Antipsychotics (sometimes called Neuroleptics)
Benefits: Treats psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and aggression. Orap and Haldol are used to treat Tourette Disorder. Has been used to treat behavioral symptoms of Autism. Side Effects: Dizziness, sedation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, increased appetite, restlessness, muscle stiffness. Prolonged use may result in a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Haldol	haloperidol	With the introduction of newer antipsychotics these medications are used much less frequently. This is only a partial list of the medications in this class.
Orap	pimozide
Prolixin	fluphenazine
Mellaril	thioridazine
Thorazine	chlorpromazine
Stelazine	trifluoperazine
Moban	molindone
Loxitane	loxapine

Class: Second generation (atypical) antipsychotics
Benefits: Treats psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia can be useful in helping stabilize mood in bipolar disorder and in impulsive/aggressive behavior. Side Effects: Weight gain, sedation, dizziness, insulin resistance, muscle stiffness.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Risperdal	risperidone	Has been studied in the treatment of aggression and irritability in Autism and recently received FDA-approval for children and teens (age 6 and up) with autism and behavioral problems
Zyprexa	olanzapine
Seroquel	quetiapine
Geodon	ziprasidone
Abilify	aripiprazole
Clozaril	clozapine	May be the most effective medication in treatment resistant psychotic conditions. Must get weekly blood tests to monitor for a rare side effect that can depress the formation of blood cells.

Class: Anxiolytic (benzodiazepines)
Benefits: Reduces panic, anxiety symptoms. Generally used for short- term treatment. Side Effects: Sedation, dizziness.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Xanax Xanax XR	alprazolam	Can cause paradoxical hyper-excitability especially in young children. Is occasionally used for the treatment of mania. Often works immediately.
Klonopin	clonazepam
Ativan	lorazepam

Class: Anxiolytics
Benefits: Used for the treatment of general anxiety symptoms—not helpful for separation anxiety or social phobia Side Effects: Dizziness, nausea, sedation.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Buspar	buspirone	Often takes several weeks to work.

Class: Hypnotics (sleep)
Benefits: Enhances sleep onset and quality of sleep. Side Effects: Dizziness, can cause paradoxical hyperexcitability especially in young children.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Ambien Ambien CR	zolpidem	These medications are generally not used as a first line treatment of insomnia. Understanding and dealing with the underlying issues that are disrupting sleep is always the first step.
Lunesta	eszopiclone
Sonata	zaleplon
Rozerem	ramelteon

Class: Mood Stabilizers
Benefits: Treats the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Side Effects: Excessive thirst, frequent urination gastrointestinal symptoms, acne, weight gain.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Lithium Lithobid Eskalith	lithium	Requires frequent monitoring of lithium blood level, thyroid and kidney functioning. Excessive doses are dangerous. The most established and well studied medication for bipolar disorder.

Class: Anti-Convulsants (anti-seizure)
Benefits: This group of medications has been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and aggressive behavior. Side Effects: Sedation, tremor, gastrointestinal distress, weight gain.
MEDICATION NAME		NOTES
Brand Name	Generic Name
Depakote	divalproex valproate	Well studied in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Has been used as a treatment of migraines. Requires occasional lab tests. May cause polycystic ovary disease.
Tegretol Carbatrol	carbamazepine	Well studied in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Requires occasional lab tests.
Trileptal	oxcarbazepine	A newer version of carbamazepine.
Lamictal	lamotrigine	Appears to be very helpful in treating the depressive phase of bipolar disorder but is not clearly helpful in the manic phase. Very rarely, can trigger a life-threatening rash.
The utility of the following medications in bipolar disorder is still under investigation.
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