- Psychotropic drugs can be classified under following heads :
- Action of a drug or group of drugs
- Main classified groups
- Disorders where their use is recommended
Side-effects and Precautions
- Drowsiness, drug dependence and drug abuse, gastro-intestinal disturbances, sedation, impaired alertness, vertigo, weight gain, increased appetite. Not suitable for children, pregnant and lactating mothers. Reduce dose for elderly patients.
- Loss of appetite (Anorexia), drowsiness, memory impairment; transient amnesia, withdrawal seizures, slowed speed, prasities, loss of coordination, musculo-skeletal weakness. Not suitable for all the said persons and groups. For the elderly, reduce dose.
- Dizziness impaired liver function and blood count; drug abuse and drug-dependence; drowsiness should not be used in alcoholics, pregnant and lactating women, persons with impaired hepatic and renal function, use with utmost caution for infants, children under 12 and elderly.
- Memory impairment; hepatic or renal disorders, acute narrow angle glaucoma, drug abuse and dependence, liver function tests in prolonged treatment and blood counts are the special precaution states where it should not be used. Unsteadiness, weakness, sedation following dizziness, disorientation, depression, sleep disturbance, changed appetite, headache etc. are the usual side-effects. Do not administer to lactating, pregnant ladies, children below 12 years or over elderly who suffer from pre-existing confusion and drowsiness.
- Headache, light headedness, dizziness, nervosity, excitement, nausea, chest pain, palpitations/Tachycardia, (though rare), drowsiness, dryness of mouth, confusion, sweating, whether to be used by vulnerable patients not known, (better consult your doctor).
Side Effects
Hypotension. depression, jaundice, (laboured) respiration of cardiac origin etc. Not suitable for infants, in pregnancy and lactation. In case of elderly people dose must be reduced. Do not use in epilepsy, Parkinsonism, contact skin sensitisation, cardiovascular disease.
- Motor restlessness, dystonic reactions; extrapyramidal side-effects; impotence, jaundice, excessive salivation, irregular menstrual cycle, impaired liver function etc. Not fit for infants, children, pregnant and lactating ladies, in elderly people (except when dose is radically reduced.)
- Constipation, dry mouth, difficulty while passing urine; depression, sleeplessness, changes in E.C.G., convulsions, hypotension, drowsiness, tachycardia. Use with utmost caution in case of all the above-mentioned patients.
- C.N.S. disturbance, interference with sexual functions of males, drowsiness. Should not be prescribed for infants, children, pregnant and lactating mothers but reduce dose in the elderly patients. Regular blood counts must be had during the course of its therapy.
