Introduction
The standard medical treatment of psychosis (hallucinations, paranoia, etc.)
is medication. This document gives a brief overview of the two basic families of
medications and a detailed list of the medicines and their many different trade
names.
You can use the cross index to correlate the brand name with the generic drug
name. You can then follow the link from the generic drug name to a detailed drug
monograph which lists the indications for use, contra-indications (reasons not
to use it) and side effects.
Most antipsychotic medications take about two weeks to build up in the body.
Do not expect to notice positive effects until then. A trial of a new drug
should last at least six weeks to adequately evaluate its effectiveness for a
particular consumer. Unfortunately, most side effects show up on the first or
second day. The consumer must be prepared for this when trying a new medication.
Schizophrenia arrises from slightly different chemical interactions in each
consumer. A drug that works well for one will have no effect on another. There
is no way to predict which drug will work. That is why it is necessary to keep
on trying even if several drugs have already failed.
Keep a record of the medication history. If a medicine is not effective, it
will remain uneffective for the consumer's lifetime. Conversely, a medication
that has proved effective in the past can be expected to be effective in the
future.
This document is not intended to indicate a preference of one drug versus
another, nor to rate the effectivenes of one drug over another.
Typical Neuroleptics
Typical neuroleptics are the traditional mainstay of antipsychotic treatment.
If someone refers to "older" medications, they are likely referring to the
typical neuroleptics. These drugs block various dopamine receptors in the brain.
In addition to limiting psychosis, lower dopamine levels also affect the motor
system. The muscle-related side effects common to these medications are called
Extra-Pyramidal Side effects, or EPS.
Typical neuroleptics are separated into three arbirtrary groups:
1. Low Potency
2. Medium Potency
3. High Potency
The term "potency" refers not to how effective a drug
is, but only to how much of a drug must be taken for it to be effective (its
strength). For example, Mellaril has a potency of 100 and Haldol has a potency
of 2. This means that 2mg of Haldol should be as effective as 100mg of Mellaril.
These potency levels can be a guide to proper dosage when changing medications.
Relative potency has been addressed in numerous clinical studies. The
potencies listed here are typical values. Individual sensitivity may vary.
Low-potency medications tend to be more sedating and are associated with low
blood pressure, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and difficulty in
urinating.
High-potency medications are less sedating but are associated with tremors,
rigidity, muscle spasms, and restlessness.
Medium-potency medications fall in between in terms of side effects
Return to top
Low Potency Typical Neuroleptics
Promazine is a low
potency
typical neuroleptic.
The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Sparine. Other drug names
include Liranol, Prazine, Primazine, Protactyl, Prozine-50, Savamine, and
Talofen.
Triflurpromazine is a low potency typical
neuroleptic. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Vesprin.
Chlorpromazine is
a low potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 100. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is
Thorazine. Other drug names include Ampliactil, Artomin, Aspersinal, Chlomazine,
Chloractil, Chlorazin, Chlorprom, Chlorpromanyl, Clonazine, Contomin, Dormazine,
Dozine, Esmino, Ethibernal, Fenactil, Hibernal, Intensol, Klorazin, Largactil,
Matcine, Megaphen, Novochlorpromazine, Ormazine, Plegomazine, Promachlor,
Promacid, Promactil, Promapar, Promaz, Protran, Prozin, Romazine, Sonazine,
Taroctyl, Thaorazine, Thor-Prom, Winsumin, and Wintermin.
Chlorprothixene is a
low potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 100. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is
Taractan.
Thioridazine is a
low potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 100. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is
Melleril. Other drug names include Aldazine, Calmaril, Dizine, Mallorol,
Meallaril-S, Meleretten, Meleril, Mellaril, Mellaril-S, Melleretten, Melleril,
Mellerettes, Mepiozin, Novoridazine, Ridazin, Sonapex, Thnin, Thiomed, Thioril,
and Winteril.
Mesoridazine is a
low potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 50. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Serentil.
Return to top
Medium Potency Typical Neuroleptics
Droperidol is a
medium potency
typical neuroleptic.
The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Inapsine.
Acetophenazine is a medium
potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 25. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Tindal.
Loxapine is a
medium potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 10. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Loxitane.
Other names include Loxapax.
Molindone is a medium
potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 10. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Moban.
Other names include Lindone.
Perphenazine is a
medium potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 10. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Trilafon.
Other names include Avomit, Decentan, Etrafon, Fentazin, Perphenan, Triavil,
Trilafan, Triomin, and Triptafen. Etrafon, Triavil, and Tiptafen also contain
the anti-anxiety drug Amitriptyline.
Prochlorperazine
is a medium potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 10. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is
Compazine. Other names include Buccastem, Compa-Z, Cotrazine, Cotranzine,
Nautisol, Nibromin, Normalmin, Novamin, Novomit, Paotomin, Stell, Stemetil,
Steremal, Tementil, and Vertigon.
Return to top
High Potency Typical Neuroleptics
Thiothixene is a
high potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 5. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Navane.
Trifluoperazine
is a high potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 5. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Stelazine.
Other names include Calmazine, Clinazine, Domilium, Eskazine, Espazine,
Flupazine, Jatroneural, Modalina, Nerolet, Novoflurazine, Pentazine, Psyrazine,
Sedizine, Solazine, Suprazine, Terfluzin, Terfluzine, Triflurin, and Tripazine.
Fluphenazine is a
high potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 2. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Prolixin.
Other names include Anatensol, Dapotum, Flunazine, Funazine, Lyogen, Moditen,
Motipress, Motival, Omca, Pacinol, Permitil, Sediten, Selecten, and Siqualone.
Motipress and Motival also contain the anti-anxiety drug Nortriptyline.
Halperidol is a
high potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 2. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Haldol.
Other names include Brotopon, Depidol, Dozic, Duroperidol, Einalon, Eukystol,
Halidol, Halojust, Halomed, Halopidol, Halosten, Haricon, Linton, Mixidol,
Novoperidol, Pacedol, Peluces, Pericate, Perida, Peridol, Peridor, Selzyme,
Serenance, and Serenase.
Pimozide is a
high potency
typical neuroleptic
with a potency of 1. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Orap.
The potency of the following typical neuroleptics is unknown to this author.
Flupenthixol is a
typical neuroleptic.
The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Fluanxol.
Methotrimeprazine
is a typical
neuroleptic. The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Nozinan.
Pipotiazine is a
typical neuroleptic.
The most common name of this drug in the U.S. is Pipotril.
Return to top
Atypical Neuroleptics
The atypical (or "novel") neuroleptics, also known as the "newer" drugs, all
date from the introduction of Clozaril. These drugs may target specific dopamine
receptors and/or may block or inhibit re-uptake of seratonin.
The most dramatic difference between the typical and atypical drugs is the
ability of the atypical neuroleptics to address the negative symptoms of
schizophrenia. It is also believed that there will be a lower risk of developing
tardive dyskinesia.
Atypical neuroleptics have fewer muscle-related side effects (EPS) and may be
less sedating.
Atypical neuroleptics are only available in tablet form, and there are no
generic versions available at this time. The availability of these drugs outside
the United States varies. Some countries have access sooner than the US, others
much later.
The atypical neuroleptics available in the U.S. are Clozaril
(Clozapine),
Risperdal (Risperidone),
and Zyprexa (aka Lanzac) <
(Olanzapine).
Drugs "soon" to be available are Seroquel (Quetiapine)
and Serlect (Sertindole).
There are several drugs in the final phase of testing. These include
Ziprasidone and Iloperidone.
Return to top
Typical Doses
This section provides a link to another document giving dosage guidelines. A
new drug should be started at no less than the lower end of the recommended
dosage. If less than this is taken and the drug does not work, nothing has been
proven. Conversely, except in rare cases taking more than the highest
recommended dose does not increase effectiveness.
Typical Doses
The doses for
typical neuroleptics not listed can be calculated using the potencies shown
in the tables above.
Drug name cross index. Step 1: Find the drug name of interest in this table.
Step 2: Follow the link to read a description of the drug.
Step 3: The description includes a list of alternate names for the drug.
| A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
| J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
| S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
A
Return
to alphabetical index
Acetophenazine is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Aldazine is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Ampliactil is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Anatensol is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Aromit is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Artomin is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Aspersinal is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
B
Return
to alphabetical index
Brotopon is a trade name for
Halperidol
Buccastem is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
C
Return
to alphabetical index
Calmaril is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Calmazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Clinazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Chlomazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Chloractil is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Chlorazin is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Chlorprom is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Chlorpromanyl is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Chlorpromazine is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Chlorprothixene is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Clonazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Clozapine is
the generic name of an
atypical neuroleptic
Clozaril is the only trade name for Clozapine
Contomin is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Compazine is a trade name for
Prochlorperazine
Compa-Z is a trade name for
Prochlorperazine
Cotrazine is a trade name for
Prochlorperazine
D
Return
to alphabetical index
Dapotum is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Dazine is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Decentan is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Depidol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Domilium is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Dormazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Dozic is a trade name for
Halperidol
Dozine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Droperidol
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Duraperidol is a trade name for
Halperidol
E
Return
to alphabetical index
Einalon is a trade name for
Halperidol
Eskazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Esmino is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Espazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Ethibernal is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Etrafon is a trade name for a drug combining the anti-anxiety drug Amitriptyline
with
Perphenazine
Eukystol is a trade name for
Halperidol
F
Return
to alphabetical index
Fenactil is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Fentazin is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Fluanxol is a trade name for
Flupenthixol
Flunzaine is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Flupazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Fluphenazine
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Flupenthixol
is the chimeical name for a
typical neuroleptic
Fortunan is a trade name for
Halperidol
Funazine is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
G
Return
to alphabetical index
H
Return
to alphabetical index
Haldol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Halidol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Halojust is a trade name for
Halperidol
Halomed is a trade name for
Halperidol
Halosten is a trade name for
Halperidol
Halperidol
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Haricon is a trade name for
Halperidol
Hibernal is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
I
Return
to alphabetical index
Inapsine is the only trade name for
Droperidol
Intesol is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
J
Return
to alphabetical index
Jatroneural is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
K
Return
to alphabetical index
Klorazin is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
L
Return
to alphabetical index
Lanzac is a trade name for
Olanzapine
Largactil is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Linton is a trade name for
Halperidol
Lindone is a trade name for
Molindone
Loxapax is a trade name for
Loxapine
Loxapine is
the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Loxitane is a trade name for
Loxapine
Lyogen is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
M
Return
to alphabetical index
Mallorol is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Matzine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Megaphen is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Meallaril-S is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Meleretten is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Meleril is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Mellaril is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Mellaril-S is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Melleretten is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Melleril is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Mepozin is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Mesoridazine
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Methotrimaprazine is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Mixidol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Moban is a trade name for
Molindone
Modalina is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Moditen is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Molindone is
the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Motipress is a trade name for a drug combining Nortriptyline with
Fluphenazine
Motival is a trade name for a drug combining Nortriptyline with
Fluphenazine
N
Return
to alphabetical index
Navane is the only trade name for
Thiothixene
Nautisol is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Nerolet is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Nibromin is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Normalmin is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Novamin is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Novochlorpromazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Novoflurazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Novomit is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Novoperidol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Novoridazine is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Nozinan is a trade name for
Methotrimeprazine
O
Return
to alphabetical index
Olanzapine
is the generic name for an
atypical neuroleptic
Omca is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Orap is the only trade name for
Pimozide
Ormazine is a trade and for
Chlorpromazine
P
Return
to alphabetical index
Pacedol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Pacinol is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Peluces is a trade name for
Halperidol
Pericate is a trade name for
Halperidol
Perida is a trade name for
Halperidol
Peridol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Peridor is a trade name for
Halperidol
Permitil is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Perphenan is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Perphenazine
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Phenazine is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Pimozide is
the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Pipotiazine
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Pipotril is the only trade name for
Pipotiazine
Primazine is a trade name for
Promazine
Prochlorperazine is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Prolixin is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Promachlor is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Promacid is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Promapar is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Promaz is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Promazine is
the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Protran is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Psyrazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Q
Return
to alphabetical index
Quetiapine
is the generic name for an
atypical neuroleptic
R
Return
to alphabetical index
Ridazin is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Risperdal is the only trade name for
Risperidone
Risperidone
is the generic name for an
atypical neuroleptic
S
Return
to alphabetical index
Seditin is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Sedizine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Selectin is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Selezyme is a trade name for
Halperidol
Serenace is a trade name for
Halperidol
Serenase is a trade name for
Halperidol
Serentil is the only trade name for
Mesoridazine
Serlect is the only trade name for
Sertindole
Seroquel is the only trade name for
Quetiapine
Sertindole
is the generic name for an
atypical neuroleptic
Sigaperidol is a trade name for
Halperidol
Siqualine is a trade name for
Fluphenazine
Solazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Sonapex is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Sonazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Sparine is a trade name for
Promazine
Stelazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Stella is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Stemetil is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Steremal is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Suprazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
T
Return
to alphabetical index
Taractan is the only trade name for
Chlorprothixene
Taroctyl is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Tementil is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Terfluzin is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Terfluzine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Thinin is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Thiomed is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Thioridazine
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Thioril is a trade name for
Thioridazine
Thiothixene
is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Thaorazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Thorazine is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Thor-Prom is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Tindal is the only trade name for
Acetophenazine
Triavil is a trade name for a drug combining the anti-anxiety drug Amitriptyline
with
Perphenazine
Trifluoperazine is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Triflurin is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Triflurpromazine is the generic name for a
typical neuroleptic
Trilafon is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Trilifan is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Triomin is a trade name for
Perphenazine
Tripazine is a trade name for
Trifluoperazine
Triptafen is a trade name for a drug combining the anti-anxiety drug
Amitriptyline with
Perphenazine
U
Return
to alphabetical index
V
Return
to alphabetical index
Vertigon is a trade name for
Prochlroperazine
Vesprin is trade name for
Triflurpromazine
W
Return
to alphabetical index
Winsumin is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
Winteril is a trade name fir
Thioridazine
Wintermin is a trade name for
Chlorpromazine
X
Return
to alphabetical index
Y
Return
to alphabetical index
Z
Return
to alphabetical index
Zyprexa is a trade name for
Olanzapine
Medications used with Antipsychotics
There are several groups of medications often used in conjunction with
antipsychotic drugs. These may help control side effects or may be used to
control other primary symptoms which may be present. There are dozens of drugs
in each category.
Anticholinergics, or anti-parkinsonian drugs, are used to treat the
muscle-related side effects, or EPS. These include Cogentin (Benztropine),
Artane (Trihexyphenidyl HCI), and Symmetrel (Amantadine).
Antidepressants are used to treat depression.
Antihypertensive drugs are used to treat high blood pressure. These include
Inderal (Propranolol).
Anxiolytics, or anti-anxiety drugs, are used to combat anxiety. These include
Activan (Lorazepam), Tranxene (Clorazepate), and Centrac (Prazepam).
Mood stablizers may be used in conjunction with antipsychotics, but in
certain patients who do not respond to neuroleptic drugs, mood stabilizers may
be used as the primary medication for treatment of schizophrenia. These include
Lithium, Tegretol (Carbamazepine), and Depakote (Divalproex sodium).
Return to top
|
