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Medications Articles, Research & Resources

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan
Last updated:
Erin L. George, MFT
Erin L. George, MFT
Medical editor

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What Are Medications?

Medications, also known as medicines or drugs, are substances used to prevent or treat diseases. (1) Some drugs are available over the counter, meaning an individual is allowed to purchase them without obtaining a prescription from a healthcare professional. Other medications are available by prescription only.

When purchasing medications, it's important to know the definition of "dosage form" and "route of administration." The dosage form is the physical form of a medication, such as a capsule, pill, cream, foam, film, or injection. (2) Route of administration refers to where the drug is administered. (3) For example, an intramuscular injection is delivered directly into one of the muscles, while oral capsules are taken by mouth.

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Medications — In The News
Nearly 1 in 10 Adults Skips Meds Due to Cost, CDC Says

THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly one in 10 American adults don't take their medications as prescribed because they can't afford to, health officials reported Thursday. High drug costs in the United States may be hurting the very people the medications are meant to help, the new report... Read More


Study Underscores Power of Placebo Effect

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- A new study -- this one involving patients with Parkinson's disease -- adds another layer of insight to the well-known "placebo effect." That's the phenomenon in which people's symptoms improve after taking an inactive substance simply because they believe the treatment... Read More


Text Messages Remind People to Take Medications

FRIDAY, Dec. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Text reminders improve the chances that patients will stick with their medication regimen, a new study finds. About one-third of people don't take their medications as prescribed, either because they forget or because they're uncertain about the benefits or potential harms of the... Read More


Related Questions & Answers

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Anxiety Medication

It's normal to worry about a sick loved one or get stressed out over a big project at work. For people with anxiety, that worry becomes persistent, lasting for months or even years. (4) Anxiety medications, also known as anxiolytics, help manage the fear, muscle tightness, and other symptoms of anxiety disorders. (5)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly used to treat anxiety. SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, making it easier to manage the thoughts that contribute to anxiety disorders. (6) Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps carry messages throughout the nervous system. Escitalopram, citalopram, and sertraline are examples of SSRIs.

SNRIs work on two transmitters instead of one, making them more effective for some people with anxiety. Serotonin affects an individual's sleep quality, mood, and energy levels, while norepinephrine affects attention, energy, and focus. (7) Venlafaxine, duloxetine, and desvenlafaxine are all SNRIs.

Although SSRIs and SNRIs are helpful for some people with anxiety, they may cause side effects. The side effects of SSRIs include nausea, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, and loss of libido (sex drive). SNRIs may cause weight gain, headache, nausea, sweating, or increased blood pressure.

ADHD Medication

Some people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have the inattentive type, which makes it difficult to pay attention, follow instructions, and stay organized. (8) The hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD makes it difficult to sit still. Someone with this form of ADHD may fidget, talk out of turn, or have an excessive amount of energy. ADHD medications control these symptoms, improving performance at school or work. Taking medication can also make it easier for someone with ADHD to manage their household responsibilities.

Stimulant medications increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. (9) Like norepinephrine, dopamine is a neurotransmitter. Both chemicals are involved in the processes needed for an individual to stay focused. Most stimulants used to treat ADHD are classified as amphetamines or methylphenidates. These medications are controlled substances, which means they're tightly regulated due to the risk of becoming dependent on them. Methylphenidate hydrochloride, methamphetamine hydrochloride, and amphetamine sulfate are examples of stimulants.

Non-stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. They're typically prescribed to people who don't respond to stimulants or can't tolerate the side effects of stimulants. It takes time for non-stimulants to start working, typically 3 to 4 weeks. These medications aren't controlled substances, so there's no risk of dependence. Clonidine hydrochloride, atomoxetine hydrochloride, and guanfacine hydrochloride are examples of non-stimulant ADHD medicines.

Blood Pressure Medication

In people with anxiety, intense fear or worry may cause a temporary increase in blood pressure and other uncomfortable symptoms. (10) Certain medications reduce blood pressure and make it easier for an individual with anxiety to face their fears.

Beta-blockers relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety by blocking adrenaline receptors. (11) Adrenaline is a hormone involved in the fight-or-flight response, which helps the body respond to perceived threats. (12) When someone is exposed to a threat, adrenaline causes blood pressure and heart rate to increase. The individual may also start sweating or trembling. If adrenaline can't bind to the right receptors, it can't cause these symptoms to occur. That's why beta-blockers are so useful for people who get anxious in specific situations.

Beta-blockers control the physical symptoms of anxiety, so they're helpful for people who are nervous about giving presentations, performing in front of a live audience, or encountering an anxiety-producing situation from time to time. They're not intended for people with long-term anxiety disorders, as they don't address the underlying cause of a person's anxiety. Potential side effects of beta-blockers include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, slower heart rate, and low blood pressure.

Depression Medication

Depression is a mental illness that affects a person's mood. (13) People with depression may feel hopeless, sleep more than usual, or experience sudden appetite changes that lead to unplanned weight gain or weight loss. Severe depression may also cause an individual to think about harming themselves. Antidepressants help manage these symptoms by changing the way the brain uses certain chemicals.

Although they're also used to treat anxiety, SSRIs and SNRIs are classified as antidepressants. As noted previously, both types of medication affect the amount of serotonin in the brain. SNRIs also influence norepinephrine levels. Atypical antidepressants are often prescribed when an individual doesn't respond to other depression medications. (14) This class of drugs includes bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, and vortioxetine. Instead of working on serotonin, bupropion boosts the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Trazodone and vortioxetine increase an individual's serotonin levels. Like SNRIs, mirtazapine works on both serotonin and norepinephrine.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are one of the oldest types of depression medication available. They cause more side effects than SSRIs, so they may not be prescribed unless an individual doesn't respond to other drugs. (15) TCAs boost serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain by preventing the nerve cells from reabsorbing each chemical. Amitriptyline, imipramine, and trimipramine are all classified as TCAs. (16)

Antipsychotics

Psychosis causes a person to lose their connection with reality. (17) Several mental illnesses cause this condition, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorders, and delusional disorder. Antipsychotics help people with these illnesses by controlling hallucinations, delusions, and other psychotic symptoms.

First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) work by blocking the D2 dopamine receptors in the brain. When dopamine can't bind with these receptors, hallucinations and delusions are less likely. Several types of medications are classified as FGAs, including thioxanthenes, phenothiazines, and dibenzoxazepines. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) block D2 dopamine receptors and serotonin receptors. Limiting dopamine and serotonin activity makes it easier to manage the symptoms of psychosis. Risperidone, quetiapine, and iloperidone are examples of SGAs.

The potential side effects of FGAs include dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and drowsiness. In some people, these medications increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms or sudden cardiac death. Significant weight gain is one of the most common side effects of SGAs, so these medications may not be suitable for people with Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity. SGAs may also cause drowsiness, fast heart rate, low blood pressure, dizziness, and increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines reduce activity in the nervous system, easing anxiety. They may also be used to treat insomnia or manage the symptoms of schizophrenia. (18) These medications are classified as controlled substances due to their potential to be habit-forming. Therefore, they're not intended for long-term use. (19) Benzodiazepines may also cause dangerous side effects, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances that reduce nervous system activity. Diazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam are some of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines in the United States.

These medications slow down a person's reflexes, so it's important not to drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform other tasks requiring fast response times while taking them. Benzodiazepines may also affect fetal development, so they're not recommended during pregnancy or while someone is trying to conceive.

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