Tag: Psychotropic drugs

According to the CDC, over 13% of adult Americans use antidepressant medications in a 30-day period. For those struggling with overwhelming feelings, a common question arises: are there any medications to control emotions? While no single pill can eliminate feelings, specific psychotropic drugs can effectively regulate the neurochemical imbalances underlying many mental health conditions that cause emotional dysregulation.

An estimated one-third of US adults use a central nervous system (CNS)-active medication for various conditions, highlighting their widespread use in modern medicine. So, **what does CNS active mean** for these patients and others, and how do these powerful drugs influence our brain and body?

Studies indicate that the long-term use of certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines, can lead to persistent cognitive impairment and lasting alterations in brain structure. Understanding which drugs affect your brain, from prescription medications to recreational substances, is key to comprehending their impact on mood, cognition, and behavior.

Affecting a significant percentage of patients, constipation is a common and often overlooked side effect of many psychotropic drugs, especially antipsychotics like clozapine and certain antidepressants. Knowing exactly **what mental medications cause constipation** is the first step toward managing this uncomfortable and sometimes serious condition.

While many antipsychotics are associated with pupil dilation (mydriasis) due to anticholinergic effects, certain older and atypical antipsychotic medications have been linked to miosis, or constricted pupils. This less common phenomenon often occurs in the context of overdose or is driven by specific receptor interactions.

Up to 9% of all status epilepticus cases may be caused by drug toxicity. This article explores the complex question of which drug induced epilepsy or, more accurately, can trigger seizures by lowering the seizure threshold in susceptible individuals or during overdose.

In the 1990s, the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) gained such widespread popularity that it was commonly nicknamed the "happy pill". This informal term, however, oversimplifies the complex reality of how psychiatric medications work, misleadingly suggesting a quick fix for unhappiness instead of a clinical treatment for specific mental health disorders.

Antipsychotic medications, while vital for managing certain mental health conditions, carry potential risks, and understanding these is crucial for patient safety. According to various studies, the toxicity profile of antipsychotics can vary significantly, emphasizing the need for careful prescribing and monitoring.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, drug-induced encephalopathy can occur even at therapeutic drug levels in certain individuals, challenging the notion that toxicity only results from overdose. This diverse range of substances highlights the importance of understanding **what drugs can cause encephalopathy** and the factors that increase a patient's risk.

According to research, thiazide diuretics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most common medications to cause hyponatremia, often by improperly influencing antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Understanding **what meds increase ADH** is crucial for managing electrolyte balance and preventing complications like the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH).