Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and prevent complications.
Antidepressants
Class Summary
May be used to decrease aggression and treat underlying illness.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Antidepressant (SSRI) used to treat impulse control problems or underlying illness. Selectively inhibits presynaptic serotonin reuptake with minimal or no effect in the reuptake of norepinephrine or dopamine.
Lithium (Eskalith)
Indicated for treating bipolar disorder. Influences reuptake of serotonin and/or norepinephrine at cell membrane.
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Exhibits both noradrenergic and serotonergic activity. In cases of depression associated with severe insomnia and anxiety, shown to be superior to other SSRI drugs.
Antiandrogens
Class Summary
Used to reduce androgen serum levels.
Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera)
Derivative of progesterone. Used for breast cancer, contraception, secondary amenorrhea, and abnormal uterine bleeding. May be used to reduce sex drive.
Phenothiazines
Class Summary
Are effective in treating emesis possibly due to their effects in the dopaminergic mesolimbic system.
Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
Antipsychotic used to treat underlying illness or decrease aggression.
Anxiolytics
Class Summary
These agents help induce impulse control.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Unique anxiolytic that differs from benzodiazepines in that it does not exert anticonvulsant or muscle relaxer for GAD. A 5-HT1 agonist with serotonergic neurotransmission and some dopaminergic effects in CNS. Has anxiolytic effect but may take as long as 2-3 wk for full efficacy.
Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormones
Class Summary
These agents are used to reduce release of gonadotropin hormones.
Triptorelin (Trelstar)
Synthetic decapeptide agonist analog of GnRH also known as luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (LHRH). Reduces LH, FSH, and testosterone, which may lead to reduced sex drive.
Mood stabilizer
Class Summary
These agents are used to treat bipolar disorders.
Valproic acid (Depakote)
Indicated for manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Recommended plasma concentration is 50-125 µg/mL.
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