Medications
These are PsychiatryRx's plain-language guides to individual psychiatric and sleep medications. Each one covers what the medication treats, how it works, what to expect week by week, the common and the serious side effects, how it affects weight and sleep, and how to come off it safely. The guides span antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, ADHD medications, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sleep medications. Every page is reviewed by a board-certified psychiatrist, and every page is general education, not a substitute for advice from your own prescriber.
Acamprosate (Campral)
A non-controlled medication used to support abstinence in alcohol use disorder.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
A fast-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and panic, intended mainly for short-term or occasional use.
Amantadine (Symmetrel, Gocovri)
A dopamine-releasing NMDA antagonist used for drug-induced movement problems and Parkinson dyskinesia.
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
An older tricyclic antidepressant used off-label at low doses for sleep, with notable anticholinergic side effects.
Amoxapine (Asendin)
A tetracyclic antidepressant with dopamine D2 antagonism, which puts it in a category by itself: it can cause the movement side effects of antipsychotics on top of tricyclic effects.
Amphetamine (Adderall)
A stimulant medication for ADHD, the amphetamine-based type.
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
An atypical antipsychotic used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and as an add-on for depression.
Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
The R-isomer of modafinil, with a longer half-life and once-daily dosing for narcolepsy and other causes of daytime sleepiness.
Asenapine (Saphris, Secuado)
An atypical antipsychotic available as a sublingual tablet (Saphris) and a transdermal patch (Secuado), used for schizophrenia and bipolar I.
Atomoxetine (Strattera)
A non-stimulant medication for ADHD, taken daily.
Brexanolone (Zulresso)
A 60-hour intravenous neurosteroid infusion for postpartum depression, delivered under a REMS program with continuous monitoring.
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
A dopamine partial agonist used for schizophrenia, as an add-on for depression, and for agitation in Alzheimer dementia.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade, Zubsolv)
A partial opioid agonist used for opioid use disorder and, in some formulations, for chronic pain.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
An atypical antidepressant, an NDRI, used for depression, seasonal depression, and smoking cessation.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
A non-sedating anti-anxiety medication for generalized anxiety, taken daily.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro)
A mood stabilizer used for acute mania and maintenance in bipolar disorder.
Cariprazine (Vraylar)
A dopamine D3-preferring partial agonist used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and as an add-on for depression.
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
A long-acting benzodiazepine, standard for alcohol withdrawal and sometimes used for anxiety.
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
A low-potency first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions, with sedation and anticholinergic effects that shape how it feels.
Citalopram (Celexa)
An SSRI antidepressant used mainly for depression.
Clobazam (Onfi)
A less sedating benzodiazepine approved for seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, structurally different from most others in the class.
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
The most serotonergic tricyclic antidepressant and the only tricyclic FDA-approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
A long-acting benzodiazepine used for panic disorder and certain seizure conditions.
Clonidine ER (Kapvay)
An alpha-2 agonist used for ADHD, most often in children, either as a monotherapy or as an add-on to a stimulant.
Clorazepate (Tranxene)
A long-acting benzodiazepine prodrug that is converted in the stomach to a long-lived active form.
Clozapine (Clozaril)
The most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, with a unique monitoring requirement.
Daridorexant (Quviviq)
A shorter-half-life dual orexin antagonist designed to reduce next-day sedation while helping both sleep onset and maintenance.
Desipramine (Norpramin)
The most norepinephrine-selective tricyclic antidepressant, sometimes chosen for its activating profile and lighter anticholinergic load.
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
An SNRI antidepressant, closely related to venlafaxine.
Deutetrabenazine (Austedo)
A VMAT2 inhibitor used for tardive dyskinesia and chorea in Huntington disease.
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
The active d-isomer of methylphenidate, essentially half of Ritalin's molecule in isolated form.
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
The pure d-isomer of amphetamine, the same active molecule as one of the two components in Adderall.
Dextromethorphan-Bupropion (Auvelity)
A fixed-dose oral combination of dextromethorphan (NMDA antagonist) and bupropion (which boosts dextromethorphan levels), FDA-approved in 2022 for depression.
Diazepam (Valium)
A long-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and several other conditions.
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
A deterrent medication for alcohol use disorder that causes a strong reaction if alcohol is consumed.
Donanemab (Kisunla)
An IV monoclonal antibody that clears amyloid plaques in early Alzheimer's disease.
Donepezil (Aricept)
A cholinesterase inhibitor used to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
Doxepin (Silenor)
A tricyclic antidepressant used at very low doses as a non-habit-forming sleep medication for staying asleep.
Droperidol (Inapsine)
A butyrophenone first-generation antipsychotic used in acute care and emergency settings for agitation and nausea, not for chronic outpatient use.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
An SNRI antidepressant that is also used for several chronic pain conditions.
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
Esketamine (Spravato)
An intranasal NMDA antagonist for treatment-resistant depression and depression with acute suicidality, delivered under a REMS program with in-clinic monitoring.
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
A z-drug that helps with both falling asleep and staying asleep, known for a distinctive bitter aftertaste.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression, OCD, panic, and bulimia, known for its long half-life.
Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
A high-potency first-generation antipsychotic for schizophrenia, available as both oral tablets and a long-acting decanoate injection.
Flurazepam (Dalmane)
A long-acting benzodiazepine sleep medication with a long history, largely displaced by shorter-acting options and generally avoided in older adults.
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
An SSRI antidepressant approved for OCD, with strong drug interactions to watch.
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
An anticonvulsant used off-label for anxiety, sleep, and alcohol use disorder.
Galantamine (Razadyne)
A cholinesterase inhibitor with a second mechanism at nicotinic receptors, used for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Guanfacine (Intuniv)
A non-stimulant ADHD medication, often used on its own or added to a stimulant.
Haloperidol (Haldol)
A high-potency first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and acute agitation.
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
An antihistamine used for anxiety, often as needed, without the dependence risk of benzodiazepines.
Iloperidone (Fanapt)
An atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar I mania, notable for requiring a slow titration to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
Imipramine (Tofranil)
A first-generation tricyclic antidepressant, historically foundational and still used for depression and childhood enuresis, with a heavy anticholinergic and cardiac profile.
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
An irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor used for treatment-resistant depression, with the standard MAOI dietary and drug restrictions.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
A mood stabilizer used mainly to prevent depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
Lecanemab (Leqembi)
An intravenous anti-amyloid antibody that modestly slows decline in early Alzheimer's disease.
Lemborexant (Dayvigo)
A newer sleep medication that blocks the brain's wakefulness signal, approved for trouble falling and staying asleep.
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
An SNRI antidepressant with a stronger norepinephrine profile than most SNRIs.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
A long-acting stimulant for ADHD, taken once daily, also approved for binge eating disorder.
Lithium
A long-established mood stabilizer, still considered a benchmark treatment for bipolar disorder.
Lofexidine (Lucemyra)
An α2-adrenergic agonist used to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Lorazepam (Ativan)
A benzodiazepine used for anxiety, intended mainly for short-term or occasional use.
Loxapine (Loxitane, Adasuve)
A first-generation antipsychotic with some atypical-like activity, available as oral capsules and as an inhaled formulation for acute agitation.
Lumateperone (Caplyta)
An atypical antipsychotic with a favorable metabolic profile, approved for schizophrenia and bipolar depression.
Lurasidone (Latuda)
An atypical antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar depression, with a favorable metabolic profile.
Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
A tetracyclic antidepressant with strong norepinephrine reuptake inhibition and the highest seizure risk of the class.
Memantine (Namenda)
An NMDA receptor antagonist used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, often combined with a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose)
A long-acting full opioid agonist used for opioid use disorder and severe pain.
Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
A prescription amphetamine analog with a limited but real role in ADHD and obesity, distinct from the illicit street drug.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
A stimulant medication for ADHD, one of the two main stimulant types.
Midazolam (Versed)
A very short-acting benzodiazepine used in hospitals and by EMS for procedural sedation and status epilepticus, not for chronic outpatient use.
Milnacipran (Savella)
An SNRI approved for fibromyalgia in the US, sometimes used off-label for depression.
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
An atypical antidepressant often chosen when depression comes with poor sleep and loss of appetite.
Modafinil (Provigil)
A wake-promoting medication used for narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and residual sleepiness in treated sleep apnea, chemically distinct from traditional stimulants.
Molindone (Moban)
A dihydroindolone first-generation antipsychotic notable for a weight-neutral to weight-losing profile.
Naloxone (Narcan)
A short-acting opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol, ReVia): oral
An opioid receptor blocker used for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
Naltrexone injectable (Vivitrol)
A monthly injection of naltrexone used for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave)
A combination of low-dose naltrexone and sustained-release bupropion used for chronic weight management.
Nefazodone (Serzone)
A SARI antidepressant with a boxed warning for rare but potentially fatal liver failure, no longer first-line and rarely used today.
Nicotine replacement therapy (patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, spray)
Controlled nicotine delivery to reduce withdrawal and craving during smoking cessation.
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
A secondary-amine tricyclic used for depression and chronic pain, with a serum level range that guides dosing and a lighter anticholinergic load than older tricyclics.
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
An atypical antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, effective but with notable metabolic side effects.
Oxazepam (Serax)
A slower-onset benzodiazepine with a metabolism that makes it a safer choice in liver disease and older adults.
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
An anticonvulsant sometimes used off-label as a mood stabilizer, related to carbamazepine.
Paliperidone (Invega)
The active metabolite of risperidone, available as an oral tablet and as long-acting injectables lasting up to 6 months.
Paroxetine (Paxil)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression and a wide range of anxiety disorders.
Perphenazine (Trilafon)
A mid-potency first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, notable for its role in the CATIE trial as a comparator to atypicals.
Phenelzine (Nardil)
An irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor used for treatment-resistant depression and atypical depression, with a strict tyramine-restricted diet and long list of drug interactions.
Pimavanserin (Nuplazid)
A selective 5-HT2A inverse agonist antipsychotic with no dopamine activity, approved for hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson's disease psychosis.
Pimozide (Orap)
A selective D2 antagonist first-generation antipsychotic used mainly for Tourette syndrome, with prominent QTc and drug interaction considerations.
Pitolisant (Wakix)
A first-in-class histamine H3 inverse agonist for narcolepsy that is not a controlled substance.
Prazosin (Minipress)
An alpha-1 blocker used off-label for PTSD-related nightmares and sleep disturbance.
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
An anticonvulsant used for nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and, off-label in the US, anxiety.
Propranolol (Inderal)
A beta blocker used off-label for the physical symptoms of situational anxiety, such as performance anxiety.
Protriptyline (Vivactil)
An activating secondary-amine tricyclic antidepressant sometimes used for depression in patients who need a non-sedating tricyclic.
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
An atypical antipsychotic used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and as an add-on for depression.
Racemic Ketamine IV (Off-Label for Depression)
Intravenous ketamine used off-label for treatment-resistant depression, delivered in clinic settings, distinct from FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray.
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
A non-habit-forming sleep medication that works on the body clock, used for trouble falling asleep.
Risperidone (Risperdal)
A widely used atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, notable for prolactin elevation.
Rivastigmine (Exelon)
A dual cholinesterase inhibitor available as an oral capsule and a skin patch, used for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease dementia.
Selegiline Transdermal (Emsam)
A transdermal MAOI patch that bypasses gut MAO-A at the lowest dose, allowing no dietary restriction at 6 mg/24h; higher patches require the standard MAOI diet.
Serdexmethylphenidate/Dexmethylphenidate (Azstarys)
A combination stimulant capsule pairing an immediate-release dexmethylphenidate with a slow-release prodrug of the same molecule.
Sertraline (Zoloft)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, PTSD, and PMDD.
Sodium Oxybate / Oxybate Salts (Xyrem, Xywav)
A twice-nightly medication for narcolepsy with cataplexy and idiopathic hypersomnia, given under a REMS program because of its abuse and CNS depression risks.
Solriamfetol (Sunosi)
A dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea.
Suvorexant (Belsomra)
A newer sleep medication that blocks the brain's wakefulness signal, used for trouble falling and staying asleep.
Temazepam (Restoril)
A benzodiazepine used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, with real dependence and withdrawal risks.
Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)
The original VMAT2 inhibitor, approved for chorea in Huntington disease.
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
A low-potency first-generation antipsychotic reserved for refractory schizophrenia because of prominent QTc prolongation.
Thiothixene (Navane)
A high-potency thioxanthene first-generation antipsychotic used mainly for schizophrenia.
Topiramate (Topamax)
An anticonvulsant used off-label for mood, migraine prevention, and alcohol use disorder.
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
An irreversible non-selective MAOI with a mild amphetamine-like activating profile, used for treatment-resistant and atypical depression.
Trazodone (Desyrel)
An older antidepressant now used most often, at low doses, as a sleep aid.
Triazolam (Halcion)
A very short-acting benzodiazepine sleep medication with a high dependence potential and a well-documented anterograde amnesia problem.
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
A high-potency first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and short-term treatment of severe anxiety.
Trimipramine (Surmontil)
A sedating tertiary-amine tricyclic antidepressant, sometimes used when depression is coupled with severe insomnia.
Valbenazine (Ingrezza)
A once-daily VMAT2 inhibitor for tardive dyskinesia and Huntington chorea.
Valproate (Depakote)
A mood stabilizer used mainly for acute mania and maintenance in bipolar disorder.
Varenicline (Chantix)
A nicotinic receptor partial agonist used for smoking cessation.
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
An SNRI antidepressant used for depression and several anxiety disorders.
Vilazodone (Viibryd)
A serotonin reuptake inhibitor with 5-HT1A partial agonism (SPARI), taken with food, with lower rates of sexual side effects than most SSRIs.
Viloxazine (Qelbree)
A once-daily non-stimulant ADHD medication that acts as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor with additional serotonin activity.
Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
A newer antidepressant for depression, with a lower rate of sexual side effects than many SSRIs.
Xanomeline-Trospium (Cobenfy)
The first M1/M4 muscarinic agonist antipsychotic. FDA-approved 2024 for schizophrenia, with no dopamine blockade and a different side-effect profile from every other antipsychotic.
Zaleplon (Sonata)
The shortest-acting z-drug, used for trouble falling asleep with little next-day hangover.
Ziprasidone (Geodon)
An atypical antipsychotic notable for being metabolically neutral but requiring a meal for absorption.
Zolpidem (Ambien)
The most widely prescribed z-drug, a fast-acting sleep medication used mainly for trouble falling asleep.
Zuranolone (Zurzuvae)
An oral 14-day neurosteroid for postpartum depression, taken once nightly with a fat-containing meal, with sedation warnings and a contraception requirement.