Psychoactive medications

– What are psychoactive medications (PMs)?
– What are examples of PMs?
– Can I participate in research while taking PMs?

What are psychoactive medications?

The term 'psychoactive' is used to describe any chemical substance that affects mood, perception or consciousness as a result of changes in the functioning of the nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Some psychoactive substances are used to relieve suffering and pain, while others are used recreationally. This page only considers psychoactive substances that can be prescribed by a medical professional.

What are examples of psychoactive medications?

– Antidepressants
  –    Antipsychotics
  –    Benzodiazepines
  –    Mood stabilizers
  –    Stimulants

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are medications used to treat clinical depression, also often used for anxiety and other disorders.

Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat)
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Amitriptyline (Elavil)

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are medications used to treat various symptoms of psychosis, such as those caused by psychotic disorders or schizophrenia. They're also sometimes used for serious depression. There are two categories of antipsychotics: typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics. Most antipsychotics are available only by prescription.

Typical antipsychotics

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Perphenazine (Trilafon)
Thioridazine (Melleril)
Thiothixene (Navane)
Flupenthixol (Fluanxol)
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)

Atypical antipsychotics

Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Lurasidone (Latuda)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Paliperidone (Invega)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Zotepine (Nipolept)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are depressant medications that produce sedation and relieve anxiety. Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous system.

Alprazolam (Xanax)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
Temazepam (Restoril)

Mood stabilizers

Mood stabilizers are medications used to treat mood disorders characterized by intense and mood shifts. Mood stabilizers are best known for the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania.

Lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Valproic acid, and salts (Depakene, Depakote)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Stimulants

Stimulants work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that help control attention and behavior. They're frequently prescribed to treat ADHD and sleep disorders.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall)
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
Modafinil (Provigil)

Can I participate in research if I am taking a psychoactive medication?

Your eligibility for participation will depend on several factors, including the type of medication you're taking, how long you've been taking it, and the reason you're taking it. In determining your eligibility, we may also ask you about what medications you've taken in the past even if you aren't using them anymore.