 Antipsychotics:  

These medications are most often prescribed for the treatment

of psychotic issues  such as schizophrenia. These drugs fall into two categories, typical

and atypical antipsychotics.

o Typical antipsychotics include:

 Thorazine (chlorpromazine)

 Trilafon (perphenazine)

 Stelazine (trifluoperazine)

 Serentil (mesoridazine)

 Prolixin (fluphenazine)

 Navane (thiothixene)

 Moban (molindone)

 Mellaril (thioridazine)

 Loxitane (loxapine)

 Haldol (haloperidol)
 Atypical antipsychotics include:

 Abilify (aripiprazole)

 Clozaril (clozapine)

 Geodon (ziprasidone)

 Risperdal (risperidone)

 Seroquel (quetiapine)

 Zyprexa (olanzapine)
 Antidepressants  are a broad category of psychotropic drugs used for treating

depression. There are several different classifications of antidepressants:

 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):  These medications

gradually increase the amount of serotonin , a neurotransmitter, in the brain.

Common SSRIs include:

 Celexa (citalopram)

 Lexapro (escitalopram)

 Luvox (fluvoxamine)

 Paxil (paroxetine)
  Prozac (fluoxetine)

 Zoloft (sertraline)
 Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) : A less common variety of

antidepressant drugs, MAOIs are often a last option with complex, treatment-

resistant depression. Common MAOIs include:

 Emsam (selegiline)

 Marplan (isocarboxazid)

 Nardil (phenelzine)

 Parnate (tranylcypromine)

 Tricyclics (TCAs):  These older antidepressant medications have been

pushed to the sidelines by newer, generally safer medications. Still, some people

do not respond to the new antidepressants, so TCAs may be prescribed. Tricyclic

medications include:

 Anafranil (clomipramine)

 Asendin (amoxapine)

 Elavil (amitriptyline)

 Norpramin (desipramine)

 Pamelor (nortriptyline)

 Sinequan (doxepin)

 Surmontil (trimipramine)

 Tofranil (imipramine)

 Vivactil (protiptyline)

 Seretonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs):  These medications

work by slowly increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. Common

SNRIs include:

 Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

 Effexor (venlafaxine)

 Cymbalta (duloxetine)
  Antianxiety/antipanic medications:  These medications are used to treat a variety

of chronic and acute anxiety issues, from generalized anxiety to panic attacks.

Antianxiety and antipanic medications on the market include:

 Ativan (lorazepam)

 BuSpar (buspirone)

 Inderal (propranolol)

 Klonopin (clonazepam)

 Librium (chlordiazepoxide)

 Serax (oxazepam)

 Tenormin (atenolol)
 Tranxene (clorazepate)

 Valium (diazepam)

 Xanax (alprazolam)

 Stimulants:  Typically, stimulants are prescribed to people with attention-deficit

hyperactivity (ADHD) . They help regulate disorganized thought processes. Psychomotor

stimulants include:
 Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine)

 Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)

 Ritalin (methylphenidate)

 Mood stabilizers: This category of psychotropic medication is typically used to

treat intense, repeated shifts in a person's mood, which may be common for those
experiencing bipolar, schizophrenia, or borderline personality. Many mood stabilizer

drugs are also commonly categorized as anticonvulsant medications.

 Lamictal (lamotrigine)

 Lithium

MOST FREQUENTLY PRESCRIBED PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

Based on 2013 data, here is a list of the 10 most prescribed psychotropic drugs in the United

States (with the number of prescriptions written during the year):

1. Xanax (alprazolam) , 48.5 million

2. Zoloft (sertraline) , 41.4 million

3. Celexa (citalopram) , 39.4 million

4. Prozac (fluoxetine) , 28.3 million

5. Ativan (lorazepam) , 27.9 million

6. Desyrel (trazodone HCL) , 26.2 million

7. Lexapro (escitalopram) , 24.9 million

8. Cymbalta (duloxetine) , 18.6 million

9. Wellbutrin XL (bupropion HCL XL) , 16.1 million

10. Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCL ER) , 15.8 million