Find out why Vyvanse is prescribed, side effects of Vyvanse, Vyvanse warnings, more - in plain English.

Read the Medication Guide that comes with VYVANSE before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

Vyvanse full prescribing information

What is the most important information I should know about Vyvanse?

VYVANSE is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep VYVANSE in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away VYVANSE may harm others, and is against the law.

Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

VYVANSE is a stimulant medicine. Some people have had the following problems when taking stimulant medicines such as VYVANSE:

1. Heart-related problems including:

• sudden death in people who have heart problems or heart defects
• sudden death, stroke and heart attack in adults
• increased blood pressure and heart rate

Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems.

Your doctor should check you carefully for heart problems before starting VYVANSE.

Your doctor should check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly during treatment with VYVANSE.

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking VYVANSE.

2. Mental (psychiatric) problems including:

In Children, Teenagers, and Adults:

• new or worse behavior and thought problems
• new or worse bipolar illness

In Children and Teenagers

• new psychotic symptoms such as:new manic symptoms
  • hearing voices
  • believing things that are not true
  • being suspicious
• new manic symptoms

Tell your doctor about any mental problems you have, or if you have a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression.

Call your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems while taking VYVANSE, especially:

• seeing or hearing things that are not real
• believing things that are not real
• being suspicious

3. Circulation problems in fingers and toes [Peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon]:

• Fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful
• Fingers or toes may change color from pale, to blue, to red

Tell your doctor if you have numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to temperature in your fingers or toes.

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes while taking VYVANSE.

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What Is Vyvanse?

VYVANSE is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine used to treat:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). VYVANSE may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED). VYVANSE may help reduce the number of binge eating days in patients with BED.

VYVANSE is not for weight loss. It is not known if VYVANSE is safe and effective for the treatment of obesity.

It is not known if VYVANSE is safe and effective in children with ADHD under 6 years of age or in patients with BED under 18 years of age.

Who should not take Vyvanse?

Do not take VYVANSE if you:

• are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI.
• are sensitive to, allergic to, or had a reaction to other stimulant medicines.

What should I tell my doctor before taking VYVANSE?

Before you take VYVANSE, tell your doctor if you have or if there is a family history of:

• heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure
• mental problems including psychosis, mania, bipolar illness, or depression
• circulation problems in fingers and toes

Tell your doctor if:

• you have any kidney problems. Your doctor may lower your dose.
• you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VYVANSE will harm your unborn baby.
• you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. VYVANSE passes into breast milk. Discuss with your doctor before you breastfeed while you are taking VYVANSE.

Especially tell your doctor if you take anti-depression medicines including MAOIs.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Know the medicines that you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Do not start any new medicine while taking VYVANSE without talking to your doctor first.

How should I take VYVANSE?

Take VYVANSE exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.

• Your doctor may change your dose until it is right for you.
• Take VYVANSE 1 time each day in the morning.
• VYVANSE can be taken with or without food.
• VYVANSE capsules may be swallowed whole.
• If you have trouble swallowing capsules, open your VYVANSE capsule and pour all the powder into yogurt, water, or orange juice.
  • Use all of the VYVANSE powder from the capsule so you get all of the medicine.
  • Using a spoon, break apart any powder that is stuck together. Stir the VYVANSE powder and yogurt, water or orange juice until they are completely mixed together.
  • Eat all the yogurt or drink all the water or orange juice right away after it has been mixed with VYVANSE. Do not store the yogurt, water, or orange juice after it has been mixed with VYVANSE. It is normal to see a filmy coating on the inside of your glass or container after you eat or drink all the VYVANSE.
• Your doctor may sometimes stop VYVANSE treatment for a while to check your ADHD or your BED symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of your heart, and blood pressure while taking VYVANSE.
• Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking VYVANSE. VYVANSE treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you take too much VYVANSE, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get to the nearest hospital emergency room.

What should I avoid while taking VYVANSE?

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how VYVANSE affects you.

What are possible side effects of VYVANSE?

VYVANSE may cause serious side effects, including:

• See "What is the most important information I should know about VYVANSE?"
• slowing of growth (height and weight) in children

The most common side effects of VYVANSE in ADHD include:

• • anxiety
  • loss of appetite
  • decreased appetite
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • trouble sleeping
  • dizziness
  • upper stomach
  • pain
  • dry mouth
  • vomiting
  • irritability
  • weight loss

The most common side effects of VYVANSE in BED include:

• • dry mouth
  • trouble sleeping
  • decreased appetite
  • increased heart rate
  • constipation
  • feeling jittery
  • anxiety

Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of VYVANSE. For more information ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store VYVANSE?

• Store VYVANSE at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Protect VYVANSE from light.
• Store VYVANSE in a safe place, like a locked cabinet.
• Do not throw away unused VYVANSE in your household trash as it may harm other people or animals. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about a medicine take-back program in your community.

Keep VYVANSE and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of VYVANSE.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use VYVANSE for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VYVANSE to other people, even if they have the same condition. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about VYVANSE. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about VYVANSE that is written for healthcare professionals.

For more information about VYVANSE, go to www.vyvanse.com or call 1-800-828-2088.

What are the ingredients in VYVANSE?

Active Ingredient: lisdexamfetamine dimesylate

Inactive Ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. The capsule shells (imprinted
with S489) contain gelatin, titanium dioxide, and one or more of the following: FD&C Red #3, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1, Black Iron Oxide, and Yellow Iron Oxide.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Manufactured for: Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087.
© 2015 Shire US Inc.
Revised January 2015

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Full Vyvanse prescribing information

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of ADHD

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Generic name: Atomoxetine hydrochloride
Brand name: Strattera

Pronounced: stra-TER-uh

Strattera (atomoxetine hcl) Full Prescribing Information
Strattera Medication Guide

Why is Strattera prescribed?

Strattera is used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition marked by either constant activity, a persistent inability to stay focused, or both. Medications such as Strattera should always be part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychological, educational, and social measures designed to remedy the problem.

Strattera is the first ADHD medication to avoid classification as a controlled substance (a drug with potential for abuse). It is thought to work by boosting levels of norepinephrine, one of the brain chemicals responsible for regulating activity. It is prescribed for children and adults.

Most important fact about Strattera

During clinical trials, researchers found that Strattera slowed children's average rate of growth. It's not known whether final adult height and weight are affected, but the manufacturer recommends interrupting use of the drug if a child is not growing or gaining weight at the expected rate.

How should you take Strattera?

Take Strattera exactly as prescribed; higher-than-recommended doses provide no additional benefit. Strattera may be taken with or without food.

 

--If you miss a dose...

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember, but take no more than the prescribed daily total during any 24-hour period.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature.

What side effects may occur with Strattera?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Strattera.

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• More common Strattera side effects in children may include: Appetite loss, constipation, cough, crying, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, ear infection, fatigue, headache, indigestion, influenza, irritability, mood swings, nausea, runny nose, skin inflammation, stomach pain, vomiting, weight loss

• More common Strattera side effects in adults may include: Abnormal dreams, abnormal orgasms, appetite loss, chills, constipation, diminished sex drive, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorders, erection problems, fatigue or sluggishness, fever, headache, hot flushes, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, gas, menstrual problems, muscle pain, nausea, palpitations, prostate inflammation, sinusitis, skin inflammation, sleep disorder, sweating, tingling, urinary problems, weight loss

Why should Strattera not be prescribed?

Do not take Strattera within 2 weeks of taking any drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. The combination can cause severe--even fatal--reactions, including symptoms such as high fever, rigid muscles, rapid changes in heart rate, delirium, and coma.

You should also avoid Strattera if you have narrow angle glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), or if the drug causes an allergic reaction.

Special warnings about Strattera

Strattera can speed up the heart and boost blood pressure. Use it with caution if you have high blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, heart disease, or any other circulation problem.

On the other hand, Strattera can also cause an attack of low blood pressure when you first stand up. Use it with caution if you have a condition, such as severe dehydration, that can cause low blood pressure.

Because Strattera sometimes causes sluggishness, be careful when operating machinery or driving until you know how the drug affects you.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Strattera

Remember that Strattera must never be combined with MAO inhibitors (see "Why should this drug not be prescribed?"). Also, the doctor will probably prescribe a lower dose of Strattera if you are taking one of the following:

Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Quinidine (Quinidex)

Due to the possibility of boosted effects, you should check with your doctor before combining Strattera with the following:

Proventil and similar asthma medications Drugs that raise blood pressure, such as the phenylephrine in some over-the-counter cold medications.

If you are unsure about a particular medication--whether prescription or over-the-counter--make a point of asking your doctor.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Strattera has not been studied in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. Strattera should not be taken during pregnancy unless its benefits justify the potential risk to the baby.

It is not known whether Strattera makes its way into breast milk. Caution is warranted if you plan to nurse.

Recommended dosage for Strattera

The daily dose of Strattera can be taken as a single dose in the morning, or divided into two equal doses taken in the morning and late afternoon or early evening.

CHILDREN

For children and teenagers weighing up to 154 pounds, the usual starting dosage is 0.5 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day. After at least 3 days, the doctor may increase the daily total to a recommended level of 1.2 milligrams per 2.2 pounds. Daily doses should never exceed 1.4 milligrams per 2.2 pounds or a total of 100 milligrams, whichever is less. Strattera has not been tested in children under 6.

ADULTS

For adults and teenagers weighing over 154 pounds, the usual starting dosage is 40 milligrams per day. After at least 3 days, the doctor may increase the daily total to a recommended level of 80 milligrams. After another 2 to 4 weeks, dosage may be increased to a maximum of 100 milligrams daily If you have liver problems, your dosage will be reduced.

Overdosage of Strattera

There is no information on Strattera overdose. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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Strattera (atomoxetine hcl) Full Prescribing Information
Strattera Medication Guide

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of ADHD

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Find out why Zoloft is prescribed, Zoloft side effects, Zoloft warnings, effects of Zoloft during pregnancy, more - in plain English.

Generic name: Sertraline
Brand name: Zoloft

Pronounced: ZOE-loft

 

Why is Zoloft prescribed?

Zoloft is prescribed for major depressive disorder -a persistently low mood that interferes with everyday living. Symptoms may include loss of interest in your usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, constant fidgeting or lethargic movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.

Zoloft can also be used for the type of depression called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This recurring problem is marked by a depressed mood, anxiety or tension, emotional instability, and anger or irritability in the two weeks preceding menstruation. Other symptoms may include loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and feeling out of control.

In addition, Zoloft is used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder--symptoms of which include unwanted thoughts that won't go away and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting. It is also prescribed for the treatment of panic disorder (unexpected attacks of overwhelming anxiety, accompanied by fear of their return), and for posttraumatic stress disorder (re-experiencing a dangerous or life-threatening event through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and intense psychological distress).

Zoloft is a member of the family of drugs called "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors." Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Zoloft slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain.

Most important fact about Zoloft

Do not take Zoloft within 2 weeks of taking any drug classified as an MAO inhibitor. Drugs in this category include the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. When serotonin boosters such as Zoloft are combined with MAO inhibitors, serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur.

How should you take Zoloft?

 

Take Zoloft exactly as prescribed: once a day, in either the morning or the evening.

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Zoloft is available in capsule and oral concentrate forms. To prepare Zoloft oral concentrate, use the dropper provided. Measure out the amount of concentrate prescribed by your doctor and mix it with 4 ounces of water, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. (Do not mix the concentrate with any other type of beverage.) Drink the mixture immediately; do not prepare it in advance for later use. At times, a slight haze may appear after mixing, but this is normal.

Improvement with Zoloft may not be seen for several days to a few weeks. You should expect to keep taking it for at least several months.

Zoloft may make your mouth dry. For temporary relief suck a hard candy, chew gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth.

--If you miss a dose...

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If several hours have passed, skip the dose. Never try to "catch up" by doubling the dose.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature.

What side effects may occur with Zoloft?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Zoloft.

• More common Zoloft side effects may include: Abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, constipation, decreased sex drive, diarrhea or loose stools, difficulty with ejaculation, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, gas, headache, decreased appetite, increased sweating, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, pain, rash, sleepiness, sore throat, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, vision problems, vomiting

• Less common or rare side effects may include: Acne, allergic reaction, altered taste, back pain, blindness, breast development in males, breast pain or enlargement, breathing difficulties, bruise-like marks on the skin, cataracts, changeable emotions, chest pain, cold, clammy skin, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), coughing, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, double vision, dry eyes, eye pain, fainting, feeling faint upon arising from a sitting or lying position, feeling of illness, female and male sexual problems, fever, fluid retention, flushing, frequent urination, hair loss, heart attack, hemorrhoids, hiccups, high blood pressure, high pressure within the eye (glaucoma), hearing problems, hot flushes, impotence, inability to stay seated, increased appetite, increased salivation, increased sex drive, inflamed nasal passages, inflammation of the penis, intolerance to light, irregular heartbeat, itching, joint pains, kidney failure, lack of coordination, lack of sensation, leg cramps, menstrual problems, low blood pressure, migraine, movement problems, muscle cramps or weakness, need to urinate during the night, nosebleed, pain upon urination, prolonged erection, purplish spots on the skin, racing heartbeat, rectal hemorrhage, respiratory infection/lung problems, ringing in the ears, rolling eyes, sensitivity to light, sinus inflammation, skin eruptions or inflammation, sleepwalking, sores on tongue, speech problems, stomach and intestinal inflammation, swelling of the face and throat, swollen wrists and ankles, thirst, throbbing heartbeat, twitching, vaginal inflammation, hemorrhage or discharge, yawning

• Zoloft may also cause mental or emotional symptoms such as: Abnormal dreams or thoughts, aggressiveness, exaggerated feeling of well-being, depersonalization ("unreal" feeling), hallucinations, impaired concentration, memory loss, paranoia, rapid mood shifts, suicidal thoughts, tooth-grinding, worsened depression

Many people lose a pound or two of body weight while taking Zoloft. This usually poses no problem but may be a concern if your depression has already caused you to lose a great deal of weight.

In a few people, Zoloft may trigger the grandiose, inappropriate, out-of-control behavior called mania or the similar, but less dramatic, "hyper" state called hypomania.

Why should Zoloft not be prescribed?

Do not use this drug while taking an MAO inhibitor (see "Most important fact about this drug"). Avoid Zoloft if it causes an allergic-type reaction.

Special warnings about Zoloft

If you have a kidney or liver disorder, or are subject to seizures, take Zoloft cautiously and under close medical supervision. Your doctor may limit your dosage if you have one of these conditions.

Zoloft has not been found to impair the ability to drive or operate machinery. Nevertheless, the manufacturer recommends caution until you know how the drug affects you.

If you are sensitive to latex, use caution when handling the dropper provided with the oral concentrate.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Zoloft

You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking Zoloft. Use over-the-counter remedies with caution. Although none is known to interact with Zoloft, interactions remain a possibility.

If Zoloft is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zoloft with the following:

Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Diazepam (Valium)
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
MAO inhibitor drugs such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
Other serotonin-boosting drugs such as Paxil and Prozac
Other antidepressants such as Elavil and Serzone
Over-the-counter drugs such as cold remedies
Propafenone (Rythmol)
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Tolbutamide (Orinase)
Warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are using the oral concentrate form of Zoloft, do not take disulfiram (Antabuse)

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Zoloft during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Zoloft should be taken during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed. It is not known whether Zoloft appears in breast milk. Caution is advised when using Zoloft during breastfeeding.

Recommended dosage for Zoloft

ADULTS

Depressive or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The usual starting dose is 50 milligrams once a day, taken either in the morning or in the evening.

Your doctor may increase your dose depending upon your response. The maximum dose is 200 milligrams in a day.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Doses may be prescribed throughout the menstrual cycle or limited to the 2 weeks preceding menstruation. The starting dose is 50 milligrams a day. If this proves insufficient, the doctor will increase the dose in 50-milligram steps at the start of each new menstrual cycle up to a maximum of 100 milligrams per day in the 2-week regimen or 150 milligrams per day in the full-cycle regimen. (During the first 3 days of the 2-week regimen, doses are always limited to 50 milligrams.)

Panic Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

During the first week, the usual dose is 25 milligrams once a day. After that, the dose increases to 50 milligrams once a day. Depending on your response, your doctor may continue to increase your dose up to a maximum of 200 milligrams a day.

CHILDREN

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The starting dose for children aged 6 to 12 is 25 milligrams and for adolescents aged 13 to 17, 50 milligrams.

Your doctor will adjust the dose as necessary.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established for children under 6.

Overdosage of Zoloft

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. An overdose of Zoloft can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Common symptoms of Zoloft overdose include: Agitation, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, sleepiness, tremor, vomiting

Other possible symptoms include coma, stupor, fainting, convulsions, delirium, hallucinations, mania, high or low blood pressure, and slow, rapid, or irregular heartbeat

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Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of Depression

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of OCD

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of Anxiety Disorders

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Find out why Seroquel is prescribed, side effects of Seroquel, Seroquel warnings, effects of Seroquel during pregnancy, more - in plain English.

Seroquel (Quietiapine Fumarate) Medication Guide and Patient Couseling Information

Full Seroquel prescribing information

Medication Guide

Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions

Read the Medication Guide that comes with you or your family member's antidepressant medicine. This Medication Guide is only about the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions with antidepressant medicines. Talk to your, or your family member's, healthcare provider about:

• all risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines
• all treatment choices for depression or other serious mental illness

What is the most important information I should know about antidepressant medicines, depression and other serious mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts or actions?

1. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.
2. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.
3. How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
   • Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
   • Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
   • Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.

Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

• thoughts about suicide or dying
• attempts to commit suicide
• new or worse depression

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• new or worse anxiety
• feeling very agitated or restless
• panic attacks
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• new or worse irritability
• acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
• acting on dangerous impulses
• an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
• other unusual changes in behavior or mood

What else do I need to know about antidepressant medicines?

• Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
• Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and other illnesses. It is important to discuss all the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. Patients and their families or other caregivers should discuss all treatment choices with the healthcare provider, not just the use of antidepressants.
• Antidepressant medicines have other side effects. Talk to the healthcare provider about the side effects of the medicine prescribed for you or your family member.
• Antidepressant medicines can interact with other medicines. Know all of the medicines that you or your family member takes. Keep a list of all medicines to show the healthcare provider. Do not start new medicines without first checking with your healthcare provider.
• Not all antidepressant medicines prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Talk to your child's healthcare provider for more information.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all antidepressants.

Patient Counseling Information

[see Medication Guide]

 

Prescribers or other health professionals should inform patients, their families, and their caregivers about the benefits and risks associated with treatment with SEROQUEL and should counsel them in its appropriate use. A patient Medication Guide about "Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and other Serious Mental Illness, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions" is available for SEROQUEL. The prescriber or health professional should instruct patients, their families, and their caregivers to read the Medication Guide and should assist them in understanding its contents. Patients should be given the opportunityto discuss the contents of the Medication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions they may have. The complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this Patients should be advised of the following issues and asked to alert their prescriber if these occur while taking SEROQUEL.

Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk

Patients, their families, and their caregivers should be encouraged to be alert to the emergence of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggres-siveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, mania, other unusual changes in behavior, worsening of depression, and suicidal ideation, especially early during antidepressant treatment and when the dose is adjusted up or down. Families and caregivers of patients should be advised to look for the emergence of such symptoms on a day-to-day basis, since changes may be abrupt. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's prescriber or health professional, especially if they are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Symptoms such as these may be associated with an increased risk for suicidal thinking and behavior and indicate a need for very close monitoring and possibly changes in the medication.

Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis

Patients and caregivers should be advised that elderly patients with dementia-related psychoses treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at increased risk of death compared with placebo. Quetiapine is not approved for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

Patients should be advised to report to their physician any signs or symptoms that may be related to NMS. These may include muscle stiffness and high fever.

Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus

Patients should be aware of the symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and diabetes mellitus. Patients who are diagnosed with diabetes, those with risk factors for diabetes, or those that develop these symptoms during treatment should be monitored.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Patients should be advised of the risk of orthostatic hypotension (symptoms include feeling dizzy or lightheaded upon standing) especially during the period of initial dose titration, and also at times of re-initiating treatment or increases in dose.

Leukopenia/Neutropenia

Patients with a pre-existing low WBC or a history of drug induced leukopenia/neutropenia should be advised that they should have their CBC monitored while taking SEROQUEL [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

Interference with Cognitive and Motor Performance

Patients should be advised of the risk of somnolence or sedation, especially during the period of initial dose titration. Patients should be cautioned about performing any activity requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle (including automobiles) or operating machinery, until they are reasonably certain quetiapine therapy does not affect them adversely. Patients should limit consumption of alcohol during treatment with quetiapine.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy. Patients should be advised not to breast feed if they are taking quetiapine.

Concomitant Medication

As with other medications, patients should be advised to notify their physicians if they are taking, or plan to take, any prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Heat Exposure and Dehydration

Patients should be advised regarding appropriate care in avoiding overheating and dehydration.

SEROQUEL is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies
©AstraZeneca 2008
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
Wilmington, DE 19850
Made in USA
35018-01 07/08 266196

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last updated: June 2008

Full Seroquel prescribing information

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The information in the "psychiatric medications section" of HealthyPlace.com has been selectively abstracted from various sources. The intended use is as an educational aid and does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of any of these medications. This information is not intended as medical advice for individual problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular drug.

The information here should not be used as a substitute for a consultation or visit with your family physician or other health care provider.

We strongly suggest and encourage you to consult with a licensed physician for answers to any questions you may have about these, or other medications.

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Find out why Risperdal is prescribed, side effects of Risperdal, Dilantin warnings, effects of Risperdal during pregnancy, more - in plain English.

Generic name: Risperidone
Brand name: Risperdal

Pronounced: RIS-per-dal

Risperdal full prescribing information

Why is Risperdal prescribed?

Risperdal is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, the crippling mental disorder that causes victims to lose touch with reality. Risperdal is thought to work by muting the impact of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's key chemical messengers.

Most important fact about this drug

Risperdal may cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body. This condition can become permanent and is most common among older people, especially women. Tell your doctor immediately if you begin to have any involuntary movement. You may need to discontinue Risperdal therapy.

How should you take this medication?

Do not take more or less of this medication than prescribed. Higher doses are more likely to cause unwanted side effects.

Risperdal may be taken with or without food.

Risperdal oral solution comes with a calibrated pipette to use for measuring. The oral solution can be taken with water, coffee, orange juice, and low-fat milk, but not with cola drinks or tea.

Risperdal orally disintegrating tablets come in blister packs and should not be removed from the package until you are ready to take them. When it's time for your dose, use dry fingers to peel back the foil of the blister pack to remove the tablet; do not push the tablet through the foil because this could damage the tablet. Immediately place the tablet on your tongue. The medication dissolves in the mouth quickly and can be swallowed with or without liquid. You should not split or chew the orally disintegrating tablets.

 

--If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature. Protect tablets from light and moisture; protect oral solution from light and freezing.

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What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Risperdal.

• More common side effects may include: Abdominal pain, abnormal walk, agitation, aggression, anxiety, chest pain, constipation, coughing, decreased activity, diarrhea, difficulty with orgasm, diminished sexual desire, dizziness, dry skin, erection and ejaculation problems, excessive menstrual bleeding, fever, headache, inability to sleep, increased dreaming, increased duration of sleep, indigestion, involuntary movements, joint pain, lack of coordination, nasal inflammation, nausea, overactivity, rapid heartbeat, rash, reduced salivation, respiratory infection, sleepiness, sore throat, tremor, underactive reflexes, urination problems, vomiting, weight gain

• Less common side effects may include: Abnormal vision, back pain, dandruff, difficult or labored breathing, increased saliva, sinus inflammation, toothache

Why should this drug not be prescribed?

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Risperdal or other major tranquilizers, you should not take this medication.

Risperdal should not be used to treat elderly patients who have dementia because the drug could increase the risk of stroke.

Special warnings about this medication

You should use Risperdal cautiously if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease, seizures, breast cancer, thyroid disorders, or any other diseases that affect the metabolism (conversion of food into energy and tissue). Use caution, too, if you've had a stroke or mini-strokes, suffer from fluid loss or dehydration, or expect to be exposed to extremes of temperature.

Be aware that Risperdal may mask signs and symptoms of drug overdose and of conditions such as intestinal obstruction, brain tumor, and Reye's syndrome (a dangerous neurological condition that may follow viral infections, usually occurring in children). Risperdal can also cause difficulty when swallowing, which in turn can cause a type of pneumonia.

Risperdal may cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a condition marked by muscle stiffness or rigidity, fast heartbeat or irregular pulse, increased sweating, high fever, and high or low blood pressure. Unchecked, this condition can prove fatal. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Risperdal therapy should be discontinued.

Patients at high risk for suicide attempts will be prescribed the lowest dose possible to reduce the risk of intentional overdose.

This drug may impair your ability to drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery. Do not participate in any activities that require full alertness if you are unsure of your ability.

Risperdal can cause orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when rising to a standing position), with dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and fainting, especially when you first start to take it. If you develop this problem, report it to your doctor. He can adjust your dose to reduce the symptoms.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria and must avoid the amino acid phenylalanine, since Risperdal contains this substance.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication

If Risperdal is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Risperdal with the following:

Blood pressure medicines such as Aldomet, Procardia, and Vasotec
Bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa)
Quinidine (Quinidex)

Risperdal tends to increase the effect of blood pressure medicines.

You may experience drowsiness and other potentially serious effects if Risperdal is combined with alcohol and other drugs that slow the central nervous system such as Valium, Percocet, Demerol, or Haldol.

Check with your doctor before taking any new medications.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The safety and effectiveness of Risperdal during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Risperdal makes its way into breast milk, so women taking Risperdal must avoid breastfeeding.

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

Doses of Risperdal can be taken once a day, or divided in half and taken twice daily. The usual dose on the first day is 2 milligrams or 2 milliliters of oral solution. On the second day, the dose increases to 4 milligrams or milliliters, and on the third day rises to 6 milligrams or milliliters. Further dosage adjustments can be made at intervals of 1 week. Over the long term, typical daily doses range from 2 to 8 milligrams or milliliters.

If you have a liver or kidney disease, your doctor will have you start with one-half of a 1-milligram tablet or 0.5 milliliter of oral solution twice daily and may then increase your dosage by one-half tablet or 0.5 milliliter per dose. Increases above the 1.5-milligram level are typically made at 1 week intervals.

CHILDREN

The safety and effectiveness of Risperdal in children have not been established.

OLDER ADULTS

Older adults generally take Risperdal at lower doses. The usual starting dose is one-half of a 1-milligram tablet or 0.5 milliliter of oral solution twice daily. Your doctor may increase the dose gradually and possibly switch you to a once-a-day dosing schedule after the first 2 to 3 days of drug therapy.

Overdosage

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Risperdal, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Risperdal overdose may include Drowsiness, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sedation

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Risperdal full prescribing information

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of Schizophrenia

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Find out why Dilantin is prescribed, side effects of Dilantin, Dilantin warnings, effects of Dilantin during pregnancy, more - in plain English.

Generic name: Phenytoin sodium
Brand name: Dilantin

Pronounced: dye-LAN-tin

Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) Full Prescription Information

Why is Dilantin prescribed?

Dilantin is an antiepileptic drug, prescribed to control grand mal seizures (a type of seizure in which the individual experiences a sudden loss of consciousness immediately followed by generalized convulsions) and temporal lobe seizures (a type of seizure caused by disease in the cortex of the temporal [side] lobe of the brain affecting smell, taste, sight, hearing, memory, and movement).

Dilantin may also be used to prevent and treat seizures occurring during and after neurosurgery (surgery of the brain and spinal cord).

Most important fact about Dilantin

If you have been taking Dilantin regularly, do not stop abruptly. This may precipitate prolonged or repeated epileptic seizures without any recovery of consciousness between attacks--a condition called status epilepticus that can be fatal if not treated promptly.

How should you take Dilantin?

It is important that you strictly follow the prescribed dosage regimen and tell your doctor about any condition that makes it impossible for you to take Dilantin as prescribed.

If you are given Dilantin Oral Suspension, shake it well before using. Use the specially marked measuring spoon, a plastic syringe, or a small measuring cup to measure each dose accurately.

Swallow Dilantin Kapseals whole. Dilantin Infatabs can be either chewed thoroughly and then swallowed, or swallowed whole. The Infatabs are not to be used for once-a-day dosing.

Do not change from one form of Dilantin to another without consulting your doctor. Different products may not work the same way.

Depending on the type of seizure disorder, your doctor may give you another drug with Dilantin.

 

--If you miss a dose...

If you take one dose a day, take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

If you take more than 1 dose a day, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is within 4 hours of your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

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If you forget to take your medication 2 or more days in a row, check with your doctor.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

What side effects may occur when taking Dilantin?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine whether it is safe for you to continue taking Dilantin.

• More common side effects of Dilantin may include: Decreased coordination, involuntary eye movement, mental confusion, slurred speech

• Other side effects may include: Abnormal hair growth, abnormal muscle tone, blood disorders, coarsening of facial features, constipation, dizziness, enlargement of lips, fever, headache, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, joint pain, nausea, nervousness, overgrowth of gum tissue, Peyronie's disease (a disorder of the penis that causes the penis to bend on an angle during erection, often making intercourse painful or difficult), rapid and spastic involuntary movement, skin peeling or scaling, skin rash, tremors, twitching, vomiting, yellowing of skin and eyes

Why should Dilantin not be prescribed?

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to or are sensitive to phenytoin or similar epilepsy medications such as Peganone or Mesantoin, do not take Dilantin. Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced.

Special warnings about Dilantin

Tell your doctor if you develop a skin rash. If the rash is scale-like, characterized by reddish or purplish spots, or consists of (fluid-filled) blisters, your doctor may stop Dilantin and prescribe an alternative treatment. If the rash is more like measles, your doctor may have you stop taking Dilantin until the rash is completely gone.

Because Dilantin is processed by the liver, people with impaired liver function, older adults, and those who are seriously ill may show early signs of drug poisoning.

Practicing good dental hygiene minimizes the development of gingival hyperplasia (excessive formation of the gums over the teeth) and its complications.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking Dilantin.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Dilantin

If Dilantin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Dilantin with the following:

Alcohol
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Antacids containing calcium Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Diazepam (Valium)
Dicumarol
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Molindone hydrochloride (Moban)
Oral contraceptives
Phenobarbital
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Reserpine (Diupres)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Salicylates such as aspirin
Seizure medications such as Depakene, Depakote, Tegretol, and Zarontin
Steroid drugs such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Sucralfate (Carafate)
Sulfa drugs such as Gantrisin
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, others)
Tolbutamide (Orinase)
Trazodone (Desyrel)
Ulcer medications such as Tagamet and Zantac

Tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil, Norpramin, and others) may cause seizures in susceptible people, making a dosage adjustment of Dilantin necessary.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur in people taking Dilantin, which blocks the release of insulin. People with diabetes may experience increased blood sugar levels due to Dilantin.

Abnormal softening of the bones may occur in people taking Dilantin because of Dilantin's interference with vitamin D metabolism.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Because of the possibility of birth defects with antiepileptic drugs such as Dilantin, you may need to discontinue the drug. Do not, however, stop taking it without first consulting your doctor. Dilantin appears in breast milk; breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with this drug.

Recommended dosage for Dilantin

Dosage is tailored to each individual's needs. Your doctor will monitor blood levels of the drug closely, particularly when switching you from one drug to another.

ADULTS

Standard Daily Dosage

If you have not had any previous treatment, your doctor will have you take one 100-milligram Dilantin capsule 3 times daily to start.

On a continuing basis, most adults need 1 capsule 3 to 4 times a day. Your doctor may increase that dosage to 2 capsules 3 times a day, if necessary.

Once-A-Day Dosage

If your seizures are controlled on 100-milligram Dilantin capsules 3 times daily, your doctor may allow you to take the entire 300 milligrams as a single dose once daily.

CHILDREN

The starting dose is 5 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day, divided into 2 or 3 equal doses; the most a child should take is 300 milligrams a day. The regular daily dosage is usually 4 to 8 milligrams per 2.2 pounds. Children over 6 years of age and adolescents may need the minimum adult dose (300 milligrams per day).

Overdosage of Dilantin

An overdose of Dilantin can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms of Dilantin overdose may include: Coma, difficulty in pronouncing words correctly, involuntary eye movement, lack of muscle coordination, low blood pressure, nausea, sluggishness, slurred speech, tremors, vomiting

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Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) Full Prescription Information

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Find out why Trilafon is prescribed, side effects of Trilafon, Trilafon warnings, effects of Trilafon during pregnancy, more - in plain English.

Generic name: Perphenazine
Brand name: Trialafon

Pronounced: TRILL-ah-fon

Full Trilafon Prescription Information

Why is Trilafon prescribed?

Trilafon is used to treat schizophrenia and to control severe nausea and vomiting in adults. It is a member of the phenothiazine family of antipsychotic medications, which includes such drugs as Mellaril, Stelazine, and Thorazine.

Most important fact about Trilafon

Trilafon can cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body, including chewing movements, puckering, puffing the cheeks, and sticking out the tongue. This condition may be permanent and appears to be most common among older adults, especially older women. Ask your doctor for more information about this possible risk.

How should you take Trilafon?

Trilafon should be taken exactly according to physician instructions and for no longer than necessary.

--If you miss a dose...

If it is within an hour or so after the scheduled time, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at once.

 

--Storage instructions...

Trilafon should be stored at room temperature.

What side effects may occur with Trilafon?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue taking Trilafon.

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• Trilafon side effects may include: Allergic reactions, asthma, bizarre dreams, blood disorders, blurred vision, body spasms, breast enlargement in males and females, breast milk production, cardiac arrest, changes in sex drive, confusion, constipation and intestinal problems, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, exaggerated reflexes, eye changes and disorders, faintness, false-positive pregnancy test results, fast or slow heartbeat, fever, fixed stare, headaches, high or low blood pressure, high or low blood sugar, high pressure in the eyes, hives, hyperactivity, inappropriate excitement, increased appetite and weight, inhibition of ejaculation, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, itching, large or small pupils, lethargy, light sensitivity, limb aches, liver problems, lockjaw, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, lupus-like symptoms, menstrual irregularities, muscle weakness, nasal congestion, nausea, numbness, pallor, paranoia, Parkinsonism (rigidity and tremors), protruding or aching tongue, restlessness, salivation, seizures, skin rash or redness, slurred speech, stupor, sweating, swelling of the arms and legs, swelling of the ear, swelling of the face or throat, tardive dyskinesia (see Most important fact), tics, throat tightness, twisting or spasms of the neck and mouth muscles, urinary problems, yellow skin or eyes, vomiting

Why should Trilafon not be prescribed?

People who are comatose or who are at reduced levels of consciousness or alertness should not take Trilafon. Nor should those who are taking large amounts of any substance that slows brain function, including barbiturates, alcohol, narcotics, pain killers, and antihistamines.

Trilafon should also be avoided by people who have blood disorders, liver problems, or brain damage It cannot be taken by anyone who is hypersensitive to its ingredients or to related drugs.

Special warnings about Trilafon

Drugs such as Trilafon are capable of triggering a potentially fatal condition known as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Symptoms include high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, unstable blood pressure, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, and excessive sweating. If any of these symptoms develop, see your doctor immediately; Trilafon therapy should be discontinued.

Also report any significant increase in body temperature to the doctor. It could be an early warning that you cannot tolerate the drug.

Alert your physician before taking Trilafon if you are going through alcohol withdrawal, suffer from convulsions or seizures, or have a depressive disorder. You'll have to use the drug with caution.

Caution is also warranted if you have kidney problems or trouble breathing. The doctor will periodically monitor your kidney and liver function and check your blood count for possible side effects.

Be sure to let the doctor know if you've ever had breast cancer. Trilafon stimulates production of a hormone that promotes the growth of certain types of tumors.

Be aware that Trilafon may impair the mental or physical abilities needed to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. Also, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun since Trilafon may increase sensitivity to light.

Stomach inflammation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and tremors may result if Trilafon is stopped suddenly. Therapy should be discontinued only under a doctor's supervision.

Trilafon is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Trilafon

If Trilafon is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Trilafon with the following:

Antidepressants such as Elavil, Nardil, and Prozac Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist Antipsychotic medications such as Mellaril and Thorazine Antiseizure drugs such as Dilantin Barbiturates such as Nembutal and Seconal Drugs that quell spasms, such as Donnatal and Levsin Narcotic painkillers such as Percodan and Vicodin Phosphorus insecticides Tranquilizers and sleep aids such as Halcion, Valium, and Xanax

Because Trilafon prevents vomiting, it can hide the signs and symptoms of overdose of other drugs.

If you are scheduled for an operation, be sure to tell the surgeon that you are taking Trilafon, since it may change the amount of anesthesia you require.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Safe use of Trilafon during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. The possible benefits of taking Trilafon must be weighed against the possible hazards to mother and child.

Recommended dosage for Trilafon

The dosage of Trilafon is adjusted according to the severity of the condition and the drug's effect. Doctors aim for the lowest effective dose

SCHIZOPHRENIA

The usual initial dosage of Trilafon tablets is 4 to 8 milligrams 3 times daily, up to a maximum daily dose of 24 milligrams. Hospitalized patients are usually given 8 to 16 milligrams 2 to 4 times daily, up to a maximum daily dose of 64 milligrams.

SEVERE NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN ADULTS

For this problem, the usual dosage of Trilafon tablets is 8 to 16 milligrams daily divided into smaller doses. Up to 24 milligrams daily is occasionally necessary.

Overdosage of Trilafon

Anyone suspected of having taken on overdose of Trilafon should be hospitalized immediately for emergency treatment.

• Usual symptoms of Trilafon overdose include: Stupor, coma, convulsions (in children)

Victims may also exhibit symptoms such as rigid muscles, twitches and involuntary movements, hair-trigger reflexes, loss of coordination, rolling eyeballs, and slurred speech.

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Full Trilafon Prescription Information

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of Schizophrenia

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In my neck of the woods (Boston---where there are more therapists per capita than anyplace else in the world), the ground shook when Judith Rich Harris' controversial book, The Nurture Assumption: Why Children Turn Out the Way They Do hit the stands at the local Barnes and Noble. This book suggested that if you left children in their homes and social milieus and you switched parents, it would matter little which parents they had.

Of course, all of us (therapists) had been functioning under the assumption that parents do matter, and that they have a powerful effect on the mental health of children (and later, adults). Some, of course, simply dismissed the claim as ludicrous. Years of anecdotal evidence provided by clients suggested to all of us that parents mattered a great deal. Our clients were injured; we could see that. We also knew what parents had said and done to our clients. The connection seemed obvious.

Yet, Steven Pinker of MIT (author of How the Mind Works) who I know and trust supported Harris' claim. In fact, he believed Harris' find would be one of the most important psychological discoveries of our time. With such praise, how could I simply dismiss it?

Most researchers agree that 50% of the variation in personality has genetic causes. This is no surprise to parents who have had more than one child. Children have a core temperament that appears from birth. Can a parent change an extrovert to an introvert? Probably not. It seems to me one would be constantly paddling upstream, and that more sophisticated measurement might still reveal a closet introvert.

But even if parents cannot influence whether a child is an introvert or an extrovert (or other personality variables), does this mean that individually they have little effect? Should we forget all parenting advice? Are we being good enough if we, as Harris suggests, provide the right peer group for our children and help them fit in? In order to answer these questions, I believe we must make a clear distinction between personality and mental health. If personality represents the "infrastructure" of our emotional functioning, mental health reflects, in part, how we employ that infrastructure in response to others. And here, I think, parents can have a substantial effect.

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As I have suggested in many essays on this site, parent-child relationships are replete with subtext. This subtext can be facilitating, damaging, or neutral. A person's generalized response to this subtext is carried from relationship to relationship (the psychoanalysts call this transference; another popular term is "baggage"). However, the "parents matter less" contingent suggest that this is not true: they argue that children adapt to whatever environment they are placed in, and ultimately peers are far more powerful than parents. Still, my clients who were raised by narcissistic parents tell a different story: they say their parents, not their peers, injured them by depriving them of "voice." And this lack of "voice" has affected their capacity to choose appropriate partners and to maintain satisfying relationships. Who's right?

Let me propose a study that might help answer the question. Use the standard subject pool for studies of this kind--identical twins separated at birth (and who are now adults). Conduct a psychological evaluation of the twins' adoptive mothers. Identify two subsets of mothers from within this group: 1) those that are strongly narcissistic, and 2) those that score high in empathy (i.e. capable of giving their child "voice.") Independently, have a professional, expert in the nature and quality of relationships, interview both twins about their current and past adult intimate relationships. After the interviews are completed, ask the expert to pick which twin grew up in the family with the narcissistic mother, and which grew up in the family with the empathic mother.

Could the expert pick the twin who came from the family with the narcissistic mother more than half the time (at a level that reached statistical significance) on the basis of his or her knowledge of the twin's adult relationships? In other words, did the twin's relationship with his or her narcissistic mother affect the quality (and/or choice) of his or her adult attachments in an obvious way? If so, this study would provide evidence that parents (or at least mothers—the same study could be done about fathers as well) do matter. (Of course, this is just the bare bones of a study—the measures and procedures would have to be designed carefully for purposes of validity.)

My bet is that the expert would be right most of the time. What do you think?

About the author: Dr. Grossman is a clinical psychologist and author of the Voicelessness and Emotional Survival web site.

next: Voice Lessons: Littleton, Colorado

Brand name: Mysoline

Generic name: PRIMIDONE - ORAL (PRY-meh-doan)

Uses: Primidone is used to treat a seizure disorder.

Other uses: This medication may also be used to treat tremors.

Primidone Full Prescribing Information

How to use: Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. The liquid form of this medication must be shaken well before measuring each dose. This medication must be taken as prescribed. Do not stop taking this drug suddenly without consulting your doctor as seizures may occur. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the level of medication in your blood constant. Take doses at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night.

Side effects: May cause drowsiness or sleepiness. Other side effects include stomach upset, loss of appetite, clumsiness, or fatigue. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Notify your doctor if the following effects occur: seizures, double vision, fever, sore throat, skin rash. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially about: liver disease, lung disease, kidney disease, porphyria (a blood disorder), any allergies. Use caution when drinking alcoholic beverages because it may add to the drowsiness effect caused by primidone. Use caution performing tasks requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery because this drug often causes drowsiness. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this drug. This drug is excreted into breast milk, although its effects on a nursing infant are unknown. Consult your doctor before you breast-feed.

Drug interactions: Tell your doctor of all other medications you may use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: other seizure medications, steroids, warfarin, digoxin, griseofulvin, disulfiram, medication for depression, doxycycline, cyclosporine. Tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may add to primidone's drowsiness effects such as: narcotic pain medicines (e.g., codeine), muscle relaxants, alcoholic beverages, certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Primidone can decrease the effectiveness of birth-control pills. Consult your doctor about using other methods of birth control. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

 

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Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, uncontrolled eye movement, and trouble breathing.

Notes: Do not allow anyone else to take this medication. Lab tests may be done, especially in the first few months, to check if the drug is working properly.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered unless it is within 1 hour of your next dose. If so, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms.

Medical alert: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

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Primidone Full Prescribing Information

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of Bipolar Disorder

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