Overview of Psychotropic Medications

Prepared by: The Northern New Jersey Maternal Child

Health Consortium

TM

OBJECTIVES Define the term “psychotropic” Describe the psychiatric conditions of: 

depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder

Give examples of psychotropic medications used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder

State the most important message to convey to pregnant or breastfeeding women—discuss risks and benefits of medication with doctor

Identify web resources for information on pregnancy and breastfeeding and medication

What are Psychotropic Medications?

Psychotropic medications are medications used to treat mental disorders. They may also sometimes be referred to as psychiatric medications or psychotherapeutic medications.

What Types of Mental Disorders Can be Treated

with Medication?

• Depression• Bipolar Disorder• Anxiety Disorders• Schizophrenia• ADHD (Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder)

What is Depression?Depression is a mood disorder and is likely caused by a

combination of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors. In terms of the biologic basis, there is an abnormality in neurotransmitters in the brain.

• Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression.

• Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotional response. Antidepressant medications work to balance these chemicals.

• Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine are 3 neurotransmitters that are involved in depression.

Types of Medications Used to Treat Depression

Antidepressant medications are grouped based on which neurotransmitter in the brain is being affected. Groups include:

• SSRI’s Selective Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitor• SNRI’s Seretonin and Norepinephrine

Reuptake Inhibitors• NDRI’s Norepinephrine and Dopamine

Reuptake Inhibitors• Tricyclic Antidepressants (Decreased reuptake of

Seretonin and Norepinephrine)• MAOIs Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Increases

concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain)

• Combined reuptake inhibitors and receptor blockers

Antidepressant Medication Chart

SSRIs SNRIs NDRIs Tricyclic MAOIs Combined

•Fluoxetine (Prozac)•Paroxetinie (Paxil)•Sertraline (Zoloft)•Citalopram (Celexa)•Escitalopram (Lexapro)

•Venlafaxine (Effexor)•Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

•Buproprion (Wellbutrin)

•Amitriptyline (Elavil)•Desipramine (Norpramin)•Imipramine (Tofranil)•Nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)•Clomipramine (Anafranil)

•Isocarboxazid (Marplan)•Phenelzine (Nardil)

•Trazodone (Desyrel)•Nefazodone (Serzone)•Maprotiline•Mirtazpine (Remeron)

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder was formerly called “manic depression”. It is characterized by moods that swing between periods of mania (exaggerated euphoria and/or irritability) and depression. Chemical imbalance is a key component in Bipolar Disorder.

Types of Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder

• Mood Stabilizers (Anticonvulsant or anti-seizure medications are also used as mood stabilizers)

• Atypical Antipsychotics• Antidepressants

Bipolar Disorder Medication Chart

Mood Stabilizers Atypical Antipsychotics

Antidepressants(Always used with other medications)

•Lithium•Valproate (Valproic Acid)/Divalproex Sodium (Depakote)•Carbamezapine (Tegretol)•Lamotrigine (Lamictal)•Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)

•Clozapine (Clozaril)•Olanzapine (Zyprexa)•Risperidone (Risperdal)•Quetiapine (Seroquel)•Ziprasidone (Geodon)•Ariprazole (Abilify)

•Fluoxetine (Prozac)•Sertraline (Zoloft)•Paroxetine (Paxil)

What is an Anxiety Disorder?An excessive or inappropriate state of

arousal characterized by feelings of apprehension, uncertainty, or fear. Categories of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)• Panic Disorder• Phobic Disorder• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)• Separation Anxiety Disorder

Types of Medications Used to Treat Anxiety Disorders• Antidepressants• Benzodiazepines (Anti-anxiety

medications)• Beta-Blockers (Usually used to

treat heart conditions)

Anti-Anxiety Medication Chart

Antidepressants Benzodiazepines

Beta Blockers

AtypicalAntipsychotics

Anticonvulsants

•Fluoxetine (Prozac)•Paroxetinie (Paxil)•Sertraline (Zoloft)•Citalopram (Celexa)•Escitalopram (Lexapro)•Venlafaxine (Effexor)•Duloxetine (Cymbalta)•Buproprion (Wellbutrin)•Imipramine (Tofranil)•Clomipramine (Anafranil)•Nortriptyline (Pamelor)•Desipramine (Norpramin)

•Clonazepam (Klonopin)•Lorazepam (Ativan)•Alprazolam (Xanax)

•Propanolol (Inderal)•Atenolol (Tenormin)

•Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

•Pregabalin (Lyrica)•Gabapentin (Neurontin)

_______________**Azapirone**Buspirone (Buspar)

Pregnancy and Psychotropic Medications

The most important message to send to a woman who is pregnant and is taking psychotropic medications or is suffering from a psychiatric disorder and is considering medications is that she should Discuss the risks and benefits with her doctor.

Pregnancy and Psychotropic Medications

• Research on the use of psychotropic medication on pregnant women is limited

• Just because a woman is pregnant does not mean that she cannot take medications or that she should stop taking medications—she needs to discuss the risks and benefits with her doctor

• A woman who is pregnant and taking psychiatric medication should not stop taking the medication unless she consults with her doctor

Breastfeeding and Medication

Some medication may be passed on to an infant through breast milk. A woman should

Always discuss the risks and benefits of taking medication while breastfeeding with her doctor.

Web Resources:

• MedEd PPD: http://www.mededppd.org/mothers/

• MGH Center for Women’s Health:http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/• National Institute of Mental Health:http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/complete-index.shtml

Questions?