Benzodiazepine Sedative Hypnotic Sleeping Pill. Benzodiazepines are the oldest and the most commonly prescribed sleeping pills and the most likely to cause dependence. Diazepam (eg, Valium and Calmpose) is a benzodiazepine and these drugs help to induce sleep and cause less awakening at night.
What is Valerian. Valerian is a perennially growing plant found growing in Europe and some parts of Asia and introduced in Northern America. Its flowers are sweetly scented and are whitish or pink in color which bloom in the summer months. It is used as a over the counter natural sleep aid which helps to [...]
What is Melatonin. Melatonin is naturally occurring hormone in the body which is secreted by the pineal gland of the brain. It is the “hormone of darkness” as it is secreted during the dark hours of the day to help us sleep and maintains the circadian rhythm of the body. The circadian rhythm is the [...]
Antihistamine. An antihistamine is an over the counter medicine available (mostly tablets are used) without prescription usually taken as an anti allergy pill to treat allergy, itching, hay fever, common cold, itching and watery eyes, chest congestion. It is also used to induce sleep.
MAOIs – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors. MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors are among the earliest treatments used for depression. They rolled out of the laboratory soon after the tricylic antidepressants. The MAO inhibitors are quite effective but their use is reserved because of their potential side effects.
SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is the depression medication that most doctors use to start antidepressive therapy. SSRIs are effective, safer to use and side effects are few as compared to other types of antidepressants. Previously we discussed treatments of depression and antidepressants and here we discuss SSRI [...]
What is an Antidepressant. An antidepressant is an anti depression medication used in psychiatry to treat mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. People who are affected by these disorders experience a therapeutic effect with antidepressants while healthy people do not. Depression medications are available by prescription only and are among the most commonly [...]
Cyclosporine|Ciclosporin. Generic name: Cyclosporine A. Brand name: Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune. Cyclosporine or Ciclosporin (as it is sometimes spelt) is an immunosuppressant drug (suppresses the immunity of the body), similar in effectiveness to Methotrexate. Besides its other uses, it is used in the treatment of severe forms of psoriasis that is widespread and difficult to treat. [...]
Methotrexate (MTX). Brand name: Rheumatrex. What is Methotrexate. Methotrxate is an antimetabolite. It interferes with the uptake of essential nutrients by the body cells. This results in inhibition of the immune system causing decreased inflammation and slowing of the progress of the disease. Methotrexate was originally developed and is still used as a chemotherapeutic drug for [...]
Retinoid Treatment. Generic name: Acitretin Brand name: Soriatane. Acitretin or soriatane is an oral second generation retinoid which is typically used in the treatment of psoriasis. What is a Retinoid. Retinoids are synthetic vitamin A chemical compounds which regulate the growth of the epithelial skin cells and also affect the immune system.