Category: mental health

What is prochlorperazine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Prochlorperazine is an antiemetic (to control nausea and vomiting) and first generation antipsychotic agent. Prochlorperazine is one of the older first-generation piperazine phenothiazine antipsychotic medications. Examples of other phenothiazines include: fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin) chlorpromazine (Promapar, Thorazine) fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin) perphenazine, trifluoperazine (Stelazine) thioridazine (Mellaril)...

What is clonazepam, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clonazepam is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter...

What is clozapine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clozapine is an anti-psychotic medication that works by blocking receptors in the brain for several neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other) including dopamine type 4 receptors, serotonin type 2 receptors, norepinephrine receptors, acetylcholine receptors, and histamine receptors. Unlike traditional anti-psychotic...

What’s the Difference Between Baclofen vs. Clonazepam? Baclofen (Lioresol, Gablofen) and clonazepam (Klonopin) are both used as muscle relaxants. Clonazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs that is typically used to treat anxiety. Brand names for baclofen include Gablofen and Lioresal. The brand name for clonazepam is Klonopin. Side effects of baclofen and clonazepam...

Baclofen vs. lorazepam Baclofen and lorazepam are both used as muscle relaxants. Lorazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs that is typically used to treat anxiety. Brand names for baclofen include Gablofen and Lioresal. The brand name for lorazepam is Ativan. Side effects of baclofen and lorazepam that are similar include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness,...

What is brexpiprazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Brexpiprazole is an oral atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. Other atypical antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone (Geodon), and aripiprazole (Abilify). Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics because they cause a lesser degree of movement (extrapyramidal) side effects and constipation. The...

What is clomipramine? What is clomipramine used for? Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a psychotropic agent used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine shares structural similarities with a class of antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The exact mechanism by which clomipramine exerts its therapeutic benefits is not fully understood. However, similar to other TCAs, clomipramine is...

What is Xanax? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Alprazolam (Xanax XR, Niravam), is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine drug family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA...

Alprazolam vs. diazepam quick comparison Diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax XR, Niravam) are benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety. Both are available as generic drugs. Both drugs are in the same class as other benzodiazepines including clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and flurazepam (Dalmane). Diazepam also is used for the treatment of agitation, tremors, delirium, seizures, and...

What are phenothiazine antipsychotics? Phenothiazine antipsychotics are medications used to treat schizophrenia and manifestations of psychotic disorders. Some phenothiazine antipsychotics, like prochlorperazine and chlorpromazine, are used for nausea, vomiting, and hiccups. Although, the exact mechanism of phenothiazine antipsychotics is unknown, scientists believe that they may work by blocking the action of dopamine in the brain....