I've had chronic insomnia for many years now, most of my life. Some things have worked temporarily in the past, but this past year has been hell and nothing is working. I've done sleep studies, practiced good sleep hygiene, sleep meditations, exercise, bath before bed, everything else that is usually recommended. I have pretty severe PTSD, and the past few years have been the most traumatic and I'm sure that's a big part of it. I recently did SGB and it the benefits only seemed to last about a week. I've tried EMDR also. Been in therapy 25+ years. It usually takes at least 5 hours for me to fall asleep, sometimes longer, and even after I've finally fallen asleep I usually wake up at least once an hour and then it takes a while to fall back asleep again. Here's some of the meds I've tried (with all of these I've tried up to the highest dose possible, even sometimes tried doubling and have also tried various combinations of many of these):
Seroquel: used to work years ago but now doesn't seem to have any effect
Benadryl (even up to 200mg): no effect
Unisom: no effect
Ambien: no effect
Lunesta: no effect
Melatonin: no effect
Ativan: no effect
Clonazepam: no effect
Vistaril: no effect
Doxepin, no effect
DSIP: no effect
Phenibut: no effect
Trazadone: no effect
Gabapentin: no effect
Promethazine: no effect
Belsomra: no effect
Remeron: no effect
Risperdal: no effect
Geodon: no effect
Sonata: no effect
Restoril: no effect
Clonidine: no effect
Propranolol: no effect
Selank: no effect
CBD and CBN: no effect
Many herbal supplements (ashwaghanda, magnesium, passionflower, 5-htp, etc.): no effect
There's probably more I just can't think of at the moment, but basically it seems like medications just don't work for me for some reason. The only combinations that have had minimal effect (I fall asleep within 2 hours instead of 5) are not sustainable because of tolerance build up or risk of addiction or things like that. Many of these aren't supposed to be taken together but when I'm super desperate for sleep I'll try anything. For example, when I take these all together it only takes about 2 hours to fall asleep instead of 5 or more: 300mg seroquel, 200mg trazadone, 12.5mg Ambien, 1mg klonopin, 250mg phenibut, 10mg melatonin and 20mg propranolol. When I take that combination I barely feel anything and it does take a while to fall asleep still, but I'll take anything I can get. I've been trying to function on an average of 2-3 hours of sleep a night, some nights I end up getting zero sleep, and I'm just not functional in the world.
I've literally gone to the emergency room a handful of times in tears begging for something that actually helps, but they usually just tell me to take melatonin or something and send me away.
oh also, cannabis, along with a few of the meds mentioned above is usually helpful, but I end up having horrible hangovers with cannabis and am barely functional the next day... although I'm barely functional as it is bc of my sleep issues.
Does anyone else suffer from insomnia to this high of a degree? Have you found anything sustainable that works for insomnia this severe?

So some back story. I am type 1 diabetic and bi polar and with both of those things i get low energy at times, anxiety at others. And sometimes just the feeling of my sugar dropping, anxiety mixed with caffeine makes me jittery. I use to be able to drink 2 to 3 bangs a day and not get very jittery, but I also use to take 6 to 10 mg of klonopin a day, sometimes with ativan, sometimes with xanax, promethazine, codeine, hydrocodone, dxm. I was a poly drug user for years. Opiates from age 13 to 28 Benzos from 22 to 28.. I started to get clean in the start of the pandemic. Idk if its age, or years of abuse. But im almost always tired, I barely touch caffeine ( only matcha or yerba mate) or else the only effect i get is jitters, stomach pains And my anxiety flares up in certain situations ( like high blood sugar and having to drive a car with my reactions feeling slower) I'm wondering if there is anything safe I can take with my history. I dont like taking kava because it makes my appetite even lower and makes me feel not present. I cant smoke weed anymore, so I use edibles for sleep I sometimes get anxiety relief from lions mane, amanita muscaria , golden teachers I take some adaptogens ( ginseng with ginko, ashwaganda ) I take turmeric, magnesium , creatine , d3, zinc I eat raw honey, I exercise daily.. I dont really know what else I can do to try to feel less anxiety, less pain, more energy.
Sorry if this is hard to read, im unfocused and anxious

When i was much younger before I developed crippling anxiety and ptsd; I had been used to taking adderall 45mg a day since 3rd grade. I am now almost 22 years of age and take buspar lamictal and clonazepam daily along with my other medication for my gastroparesis and ibs-c. I quit taking adderall or vyvanse or anything amphetamine when i was 17 as it made me very depressed when it wore off. I went back on it 2 years later while I was taking olanzapine and abilify for mania and anxiety control (i also am Bipolar and have OCD). Please keep in mind i am not self diagnosed. This is a struggle alot of people here have, its complex the amount of conditions comorbid with ptsd all on top of everything making treating the others very challenging. In the past 3 years my anxiety has gone up to extremes of agoraphobia and delusions i couldnt even take my medication myself. when it got under control I was under heavy usage of antipsychotics. My previous psychiatrist and i believe I was having manic delusions. For reference Timeframe about 2 months after having left the pych ward for my 3rd suicide attempt in 2020.
Skip to the end of 2022 and start of 2023. My abusive girlfriend had left me finally after cheating on me. My anxiety and depression was at its height (yet again), and I was not on antipsychotics and really dont want to be since they dampened my emotions extremely and increased my risk of TD immensely (i take domperidone). Also started to have an improvement in nausea and pain (domperidone and linzess) after finding the right doctor at jhopkins for gastroparesis and ibsC.
Skip to july I finally have a good psychiatrist after having seen 3 others who of which 2 said they cant treat me in good mind and 1 plain blamed me for not doing more to prevent what happened to me again and again (in reference to my childhood trauma) and my previous one quitting being a psychiatrist.
I get prescribed lamictal and buspar again finally after struggling to take my psych meds for months. A month later am prescribed mirtazapine and clonazepam both for daily use. I never took the mirtazapine because I am scared of psych meds. Even though ive been on it before. I have a weird obsession over medication because i anticipate a bad reaction or an extreme panic attack.
I've been through multiple sessions and its march of 2024 now and want to treat my adhd because I want to study or just be able to focus on anything for more than a moment. Ive always struggled with focus since i can first remember. I had taken every adhd medication as a child to 17 and adderall helped the best. But since about 2 years ago its given me extreme anxiety and was forced to withdraw usage.
I don't know if I can ever be able to take any adhd medication anymore. I can't even drink caffeine... seriously it gives me the on edge feeling or will give me a panic attack. Even if im taking my klonopin which i do daily. (I know thats not good long term but its what im prescribed and helps me not think.)
My problem is I cant think, and when I am forced to, I remember all the bad things in vivid images in my head.
I'm not sure what to do.
Ive talked to my psychiatrist about all of this before and he tells me as long as im not going to hurt myself or are bedridden I will be fine. And I'm on disability so I cant work atm. I want to go to school and learn about some stupid shit most people would think is useless. Its embarrassing. Everything is always, but im strafing off from my point.
It feels like I cant treat my ptsd and inability to focus at the same time. Idk where to start with my doctor today... modafinil was a suggestion from the psych ward stay. Antipsychotics are another. Clonodine was one i had tried in the past and helped somewhat. Other medicines i dont know. Adderall and vyvanse helped me focus the most. Ritalin and concerta made my heart palpitate bad. Strattera helped me focus but did the same. Welbutrin made me suicidal. Im scared of starting any medication. And honestly just think im gonna be stuck here unable to think unmotivated for a while. I cant even read books anymore and I used to love reading books. I havent read a book in 4 years.
Does anyone relate? Being bipolar adhd ocd with ptsd... how do you do it? How do you deal with adhd if stimulants really make you get into your thoughts? I overthink, with the most literal meaning i can give, EVERYTHING. Its taken me over 2 years to be able to take my pills by myself and even then i can only do it sometimes. I need constant reassurance by my family who im thankful somewhat understand im different, and give me alot of patience.
I will ask about modafinil or clonodine. Today if anyone has any talking points or medications i should bring up with my doctor I would be open.
The medication i take at the time of writing this daily are: Buspar 15mg 3x/d, Lamictal 100mg once, Pantoprazole 40mg SOD once, Linzess 145mcg once, Domperidone 10mg 4-8times/d, Promethazine 25mg 3-4times/d, Zofran 8mg 3-4times/d, Clonazepam 0.5-1mg split amount for 3 times/d (greater if panic attack sets up).
Supposed to be taking mirtazapine 30mg a day but have not... just because im scared of probably nonexistent anxiety, and is more likely than not helpful.
I used to smoke weed daily for nausea and help with anxiety but gave that up after starting on domperidone and have had panic attacks with trying to use it since.
AMA except for my trauma 🙏.

do any of you have any suggestions for over the counter medications or supplements that may help me fall asleep in combination with klonopin or ambien? neither of these work for me alone, and i have very negligent doctors that are trying to use antipsychotics off-label knowing that i can’t take those. trying to find a new one at the moment. i’ve found that promethazine and klonopin combined work pretty well, but i dont have enough promethazine left. any suggestions?

Extremely specific but not sure if anyone has tried this combo. Been having massive panic attacks everyday lately I’ve been in a flare for almost 4 months and they are talking about surgery because I am a 9/10 severity. It’s been working out for me for the most part. Since I’ve been doing it the past couple days. Just trying anything to get out of this flare I even started vaping again. The Klonopin helps suprisingly well with stomach pain and anxiety the Kratom helps with the diarrhea and also the anxiety and pain. Just was curious if anyone had any adverse reactions or anything using these medicines together. I read a pretty concerning article of a 24 year old who overdosed just using a normal dose of Kratom and mirtazapine which I also take at night for depression I also take a concerning amount of promethazine for my nausea which is awful, and I also have uc so I was a little concerned by that as I am also 25 years old. Anyone have experience with this combo of drugs or maybe any recommendations as if this could be a bad idea as a combo. Also just got off prednisone and am doing Inflectra as a biological. First time poster long time lurker as well. Any help appreciated.

Thank you for this group! I just wanted to give others my experience. I was 5 weeks
I traveled to choices in Illinois with at 8:50 appointment time and was taking the first medication by 9:20am
They give you the second set of medication to do at a later time between 6-24 hours is what I was advised. They also provided promethazine and ibprophen.
At around 8:30pm I laid down to insert the medication vaginally. I took the pain and nausea meds along with a klonopin and was out for the night.
I did not sleep the best but that wasn’t due to pain or discomfort. I did wake up to see I was bleeding with clots which is the sign you want. I was extremely tired all the next day and just wanted to sleep but nothing extreme and cramps were minimal at best.
Thank you for the support and let me know any questions I might can answer

Starting dose last year was 225mg, and was then dropped to 150. Shortly after that I ODed and decided to stay on 150’for the rest of last year. This year I wanted to focus on becoming healthy and I’m currently on 5 different medications. I voluntarily admitted myself to the hospital to come off at least 3 of them.
After my admission the Effexor was dropped another 50 for a week, and after that went to 75, stayed on that for two weeks and was doing much better.
Dropped to 37 things became slightly worse and there was mild irritability and more dark and obsessive thoughts. I self-harmed sometime between the drop to 75 and the drop to 36, I don’t really remember.
I stayed on it for a week then I dropped to zero on Tuesday and my brain went to complete shit. Every little thing would agitate me, I was pulling at my hair and screaming to make it stop, I’ve been horrible to my loved ones, I’ve felt genuinely unwell and like an actual monster. I didn’t think I would be able to make it through most days and nights and kept threatening suicide because it was that awful, and I could see no way out of it and no hope.
The only way I could keep it at bay was take a 3 Ativan paced out through the day, and promethazine every 24 hours. I can’t even get out of bed and into groups.
There should be way more awareness about how awful and dangerous SNRI withdrawals are. I felt so unheard and belittled when I begged to go back to 37.
I’ve withdrawn off neurontin/gabapentin because it was banned in my country, those withdrawals are likened to opioid withdrawals. I think those were the worst because every 15 minutes I would attempt to take my own life.
The second worst withdrawal is Effexor.
Klonopin has now been demoted to third.
If anyone would like to share their experience, it would be really helpful to me and to others I’m sure.

I am treatment resistant and my delightful summary of medications consists of...

• Sertraline (Zoloft SSRI, 50-100mg) on and off from January 2013 to 2021. It used to take the edge off my irritability but worked less and less over time and then didn't help me. In 2021 it suddenly started making me really angry and irritable so I stopped taking it.
  
• Escitalopram (Lexapro SSRI, 10-20mg) on and off from 2015 to date. It also doesn't do anything much except soften the irritability, but it's better than nothing.
  
• Various benzos (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan and some other ones like Etizolam, Bromazepam, Nitrazepam and Phenazepam) from February 2017 to date. I now only take Klonopin and have taken 2mg every night for 6 years. Xanax was the ONLY thing that actually worked to take away my specific type of anxiety (that constant dread, doom and fear) AND my anhedonia. I was able to enjoy things, my appetite came back, and I slept better than I had in my whole life...it was amazing. Of course, the tolerance forms and then it doesn't really work anymore. So I tapered off with help from Valium. I prefer Klonopin to Valium so I still take it as it still helps a bit and is better than nothing. Before I took benzos, I barely spoke to people as I was SO self-conscious and awkward. I stuttered and my brain would go blank. Benzos made my stutter mostly go away and I was able to actually be more myself.
  
• Doxylamine (Restavit, Unisom, 12.5mg) I started taking half a 25mg antihistamine when I tapered off the Xanax and then tapered down the Valium, as I knew if I had to go back to not sleeping again thanks to my lifelong insomnia, I'd have trouble dealing with anything. I didn't want to take a sleeping pill, and the half Doxylamine worked really well and allowed me to sleep, and it still does 6 years later.
  
• Moclobemide (Aurorix MAOI, can't remember the dose but it was twice a day) in early 2018 for a month. I felt no change except for immense sleepiness an hour after taking it, that didn't go away even after a month, and I couldn't function when I kept falling asleep all the time.
  
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, 5-10mg) in early 2019. Omg. HORRENDOUS. I was diagnosed with ADHD after 30 minutes with a psychiatrist and I highly doubt the diagnosis was accurate, but even so...the Ritalin was a nightmare. I couldn't focus or think at all. My thoughts stopped flowing and I just lay on the couch all day, incredibly tired, dulled, bored and depressed. I was slurring my words, my pupils were tiny for some reason, I had a headache and chest pain the whole 4-5 hours it "worked" for. I also ate nothing for 2 days. I normally have no appetite due to anxiety and depression and this made that even worse.
  
• Venlafaxine (Effexor SNRI, 75mg) in mid 2020 for about 6 months. It amplified my already constant feelings of dread and impending doom and at the same time really pushed my anhedonia way up. It was 6 months of utter apathy mixed with high irritability. I couldn't even be bothered going back to my doctor to get more or try something different, and it was during this time I started sleeping really late into the day. I stopped abruptly, felt no withdrawls or anything, and just went back on the Zoloft I still had at home. I felt slight relief.
  
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal, mood stabiliser, up to 150mg) in mid 2020. I took this during part of the Effexor time and then part of the Zoloft time, and I may as well have been taking chalk or Tic Tacs. I felt no difference in anything, except after 150mg I became the most lethargic and apathetic ever, and my memory became terrible. I'd be speaking and would lose words. I never left the house. After I went off it, it took about 3 months to feel my cognition return to normal.
  
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta SNRI, 60mg) in late 2020 for 6 weeks. No good. I felt more depressed than usual, with dark thoughts, and my anxiety worsened. I couldn't find comfort or relief in anything other than sleep.
  
• Fluoxetine (Prozac SSRI, 20mg) in mid 2021 for 2 months. THE WORST ANTIDEPRESSANT SO FAR FOR ME! I learned that I can't take activating antidepressants as they make me SO hideously anxious, with so much excess nervous energy that has nowhere positive to go. My stutter came back, my hands trembled, my speech sped up really fast, and yet I still slept all day as there was nothing I wanted to do due to the anhedonia. I was also incredibly irrritable and angry all the time. After 8 weeks, I couldn't sleep for more than 2 hours and my insomnia returned worse than ever, and I had to go off it. I stopped abruptly and didn't go onto anything else. I felt ok. It took about a week for the excess nervous energy to subside and it took a month before I could sleep normally again. It was like it negated all the effects of the Klonopin and the Doxylamine.
  
• Vortioxetine (Trintellix, 10mg) same as Prozac in terms of the irritability and excess nervous energy but less severe. I took it for a month before realising it was just not helping.
  
• Tramadol (Opioid / Serotonin agonist, 50mg) this was for my constant headaches and it worked well for that, and it was hoped the Serotonergic peoperties would help my mood too. And they did, but only slightly...like for a few fleeting minutes each day I'd feel a lift in both my dread-feelings and my anhedonic boredom, but it was so brief and then it was gone. Then after 2 weeks, it stopped doing that entirely. It's too potentially addictive to increase the dose and keep taking it long term.
  

So...it's quite depressing (no pun intended, lol).
Of the natural supplements and OTC meds I've tried...

• Ashwagandha made me SO ANGRY as I was trying to go to sleep. I was yelling at myself in my head.
  
• Valerian made me tense and wired.
  
• L-theanine powder mixed with iced tea gave a VERY slight lift in mood that lasted about 30 minutes.
  
• L-tyrosine powder made me feel sick, faint, overheated, extremely tense and wired, and completely out of it.
  
• Magnesium does nothing at all for my anxiety or sleep.
  
• Hydroxyzine made me extra awake, tense, wired, irritable and restless.
  
• Benadryl had the same effect. REALLY agitated. Like I was extra tired but too wired to be sleepy.
  
• Promethazine (Phenergan) I took this antihistamine every night from age 10 to 25 to help prevent morning Rhinitis, but it never helped me sleep. I have had Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder and Insomnia since early childhood and it made no difference to that. When I tried to stop taking it at 20 though, I couldn't sleep AT ALL so it took me 5 years of on and off trying to get off it.
  

Anyone else care to share?

I’ve tried mostly every supplement/nootropic/behavioral change/sleep etiquette/therapy/etc.
The medications i’ve tried that were prescribed for sleep, or were prescribed for something else but were also to tackle sleep: • Medical Cannabis (Tinctures SL, RSO Oil PO, Edibles PO, Flower Smoked + Vaporized, Concentrates Vaporized, etc.) • 2-4mg Lorazepam (Ativan) • 50-150mg Hydroxyzine (Atarax) • 600-3,600mg Gabapentin (Neurontin) • 250mcg Alprazolam (Xanax) • 25-400mg Quetiapine (Seroquel) • 300mg Quetiapine ER (Seroquel XR) • 25-50mg Promethazine (Phenergan) • 5mg Olanzapine ODT (Zyprexa Zydus) • 5-10mg Zaleplon (Sonata) • 0.25-1mg Clonazepam ODT (Klonopin Wafers) • 1-5mg Clonazepam (Klonopin) • 12.5-50mg Trazodone (Desyrel) • 2.5-10mg Asenapine Maleate (Saphris) • 7.5mg Mirtazapine (Remeron) • 50-200mcg Clonidine (Catapres)
What i’m currently taking for sleep is: • A few hits off a HHC cartridge • 2-3tbsp Instant Kava • ~450mg Magnesium L-Threonate
Nothing has worked fully so far. What i’m using currently allows my sleep schedule to go back a few hours, but not as far as i need it to. In terms of medications i’d be down to try pregabalin or baclofen but other than that i don’t think there are many other options.
If anyone has suggestions i’d love to hear them :).
Also, other than the three insomnia meds I said I took above, I also take 35mg Dexedrine Spansules QD for ADHD-2, 8.6/2.1mg Zubsolv QD for OUD, and IM Ketamine Injections q2-4wk + IV Magnesium Chloride q2-4wk along with the ketamine.

I am not in pain management, but sometimes I have to refer patients to pain, or have patients come to me for some pain management. I find it hard to navigate the conversation with patients regarding talking about dosage, switching medications, wean off, etc.
What are some useful tips/speeches you guys have used to educate patients and communicate with patients regarding pain management? How to make a good pain provider? What are some of your rules/boundaries?
Would love to know! Thanks!!!
Edit: What are your thoughts on : Klonopin Adderall Tramadol Promethazine Muscle relaxant

So I’m currently on Ambien CR and Klonopin 4mg for sleep. I get about 4 hours of sleep with multiple awakenings. I’ve developed a tolerance after years on this regimen.
Drugs I tried: Doxepin (worked but gave me a wicked hangover all the way to the next night) Unisom (used to work, now just makes me sleepy but I can’t fall asleep) Belsomra (did nothing, I asked about Quviviq but doctor didn’t think it’d work because it was same mechanism as Belsomra) Trazodone (worked sort of) Seroquel (made me sleepy but no sleep) Lunesta (did nothing) Sonata (did nothing) Restoril (is a benzo and didn’t work probably due to tolerance)
What the heck should I try next? I’m curious about Mirtazapine or Promethazine.
I do heart surgery and I can’t work like this! I can’t even nap when extremely tired, can’t fall asleep!
I will disclose I have bipolar I disorder, I’ve had sleep studies, I practice cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, use a blind fold and white noise machine. I stumped Ivy League sleep medicine doctors.

Hey everyone! I have a couple questions abour medication response, based on previous responses to medication.
I just had my first two ketamine infusions, one being 0.4mg/kg, and the one this morning being 0.5mg/kg. I’ve has the strongest response from this treatment than from any i’ve had at all. This morning i went through an event after my infusion that reminded me of a traumatic event, it really scared me, not knowing why i was upset because of the effect of the ketamine.
My psychiatrist walked into the room and saw me crying, and i told her the situation that had occurred, she started to ask me a few questions, ending in a realization it made me remember a traumatic event, and since she helped me through it during, and made my reaction seem normal, i think it’s not going to bother me anymore.
I’d usual get mad at a person not involved in what triggered me, but rhis time i had a natural reaction and cryed, feeling pure pain without a hostile reaction. I’m so proud of myself and i’m so happy ketamine is working for me. Yes i’m on a fairly low dose, but it’s already working very well. It’s helping with my anxiety, depression, and drug cravings since the first infusion, and now trauma.
My question is, is there any medications that you can take daily that working on the same receptors as ketamine without the psychoactive effect? Anything that i could use so the periods between infusions where my symptoms come back, or somerhing i could use for maintenance so i wouldn’t have to get infusions as regularly as the usual one month?
I’m thinking about maybe selegiline, patch form, 6mg so no dietary restrictions or hypertensive crisis (yes i know it’s not that bad but i’d rather not go through it or risk it), if you have any recommendations please share!
Diagnosis i have: • Treatment Resistant Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Traatment Resistant Depression • Social Phobia • Panic Disorder • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Substance/Opioid Use Disorder • Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Type 2 • Chronic Insomnia • Irritable Bowel Syndrome Type M • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder • Gilbert’s Syndrome • Was Misdiagnosed With Bipolar 1 Disorder During Substance Abuse, Now Not Diagnosed
I’ve trialed 30 medications as of now. Those being: • Benzos: 2mg qd + 2mg did Lorazepam (Ativan), 0.25mg prn Alprazolam (Xanax), 0.25mg qd + 0.5mg did Clonazepam ODT (Klonopin Wafers), and 1.75-5mg a day Clonazepam (Klonipin) • Z-Drugs: 5mg Sonata (Zaleplon) • Gabapentinoids: 300-3,600mg a day Neurontin (Gabapentin) • Antidepressant: 5-20mg qd Escitalopram (Lexapro), 30-60mg qd Duloxetine (Cymbalta DR), 12.5-50mg qd Trazodone (Desyrel), 150mg qd Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL), and 7.5mg qd Mirtazapine (Remeron) • Antipsychotics: 25-400mg qd + 25mg tid Quetiapine (Seroquel), 300mg qd Quetiapine ER (Seroquel ER) 5mg qd Olanzapine ODT (Zyprexa Zydus), 2.5-10mg a day Asenapine Maleate (Saphris) • Mood Stabilizers: 250-750mg a day Sodium Valproate DR (Depakote DR), 1,000mg qd Sodium Valproate ER (Depakote ER), 300mg did Lithium Carbonate ER (Lithobid) • Stimulants: 20-30mg qd Mixed Amphetamine Salts ER (Adderall XR), 7.5-15mg qd Mixed Amphetamine Salts IR (Adderall IR), 20-35mg a day Dextroamphetamine Sulfate SR (Dexedrine Spansules) • Medication Assisted Treatment: 25mg qd Naltrexone (Revia), 2-12mg a day Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone), 8.6/2.1mg qd Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Zubsolv) • Atypical Anxiolytics: 187-266mg a day Medical Marijuana, 50mg tid Hydroxyzine HCL (Atarax), 10-40mg qd Propranolol (Inderal), 5mg did Buspirone (Buspar), 50mcg qd Clonidine (Catapres) • Dissociative Anesthetics: 0.4-0.5mg/kg Intravenous Ketamine (Ketalar)
As well as these medications for anxiety-related ibs: Antiemetics: 4-12mg tid Ondansetron (Zofran), 2-4mg a day Lorazepam (Ativan), 4-8mg tid Ondansetron ODT (Zofran ODT), 25mg did Promethazine (Phenergan), 1mg did Granisetron (Kytril), and 300mg qd Trimethobenzamide (Tigan) Antacids: 1g did Sucralfate (Carafate), 40mg qd Omeprazole (Prilosec), and 40mg qd Famotidine (Pepcid) Gut Antispasmodics: 20mg did Dicyclomine (Bentyl), and 0.125mg did Hyoscyamine Sulfate (Levsin SL)
I’m currently on the following: 20mg Dexedrine Spansules q8am 15mg Dexedrine Spansules q12pm 8.6/2.1mg Zubsolv q3pm 50mcg Catapres qhs 40mg Famotidine qhs
I currently have these meds as prn: 0.125mg Levsin SL did 300mg Tigan
“Recreational” Drugs I Use: Caffeine Vaping Smoking (Cigarettes)
Drugs I Mainly Used When I Active Abused Drugs: (Three Months Sober Tomorrow • Fentanyl (Smoked) (Daily) • Meth (Smoked) (Daily) • Cocaine (Insufflated) (Daily) • Weed (Smoked/Vaped/Oral) (Daily) • Klonopin (Insufflated) (Daily) • Alcohol (Oral) (Daily) • Dilaudid(Insufflated) (Weekly) • Opana (Insufflated) (Weekly) • Phenobarbital (Oral/IN) (Weekly) • Propylhexedrine (PO) (Weekly) • MDMA (Snorted/Bombed) (Biweekly) • LSD (Sublingual) (Biweek/monthly)
Drugs I Used When I Started Using: • Soma (Oral) (Daily) • Flexeril (Oral) (Twice Weekly) • Hycodan (Oral) (Every Other Day) • Ultram (Oral) (Every Other Day) • Oxycodone (Oral) (Daily) • Meth (Insufflated/Smoked) (Weekly) • Vyvanse (Oral) (Weekly) • Ambien (Oral) (2-3x Weekly) • Weed (Vaped/Smoked/Oral) (Daily) • Alcohol (Oral) (Weekly) • Xanax (Oral/Ate) (Daily) • LSD (Sublingual) (Every 2 Months)

7 Popular Medication Classes For Anxiety, Explained By an RN
​

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs
• Azapirones
• Antihistamines
• Benzodiazepines
• Beta Blockers
• Tricyclic Antidepressant TCAs
• Antipsychotics
• Medication Log PDF

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs

citalopram, celexa, escitalopram, lexapro, fluoxetine, prozac, sarafem, symbyax, fluvoxamine, luvox, luvox CR, paroxetine, paxil, paxil CR, pexeva, sertraline, zoloft, vilazodone, viibryd
Drug class
This is a very common drug class; prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, migraines, panic attacks, eating disorders, PTSD, OCD, and even chronic pain.
Over 10% of the US takes an SSRI
What Do SSRIs Do?
What does every medication within this class have in common? They all increase the level of Serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. When you take a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, you’re blocking the neurons from reabsorbing Serotonin, meaning there is more Serotonin available.
Since this medication increases serotonin levels, you’ll have more of it to regulate your mood and symptoms of anxiety. Your brain also has to adapt to more Serotonin. It’s thought that by your brain having to restructure from an increase in serotonin, it becomes more able to “remodel” and better able to adapt to stressors like anxiety.
So what does Serotonin do? Well, A LOT. Serotonin influences our mood and emotional state, our digestion, appetite, and our sleep cycle. It is found in your brain, in your intestines and even in your blood. One could argue that it impacts everything.
Did You Know?
Serotonin is even in animals, plants and fungus. We can measure the levels in our blood, but we can’t measure the levels within our brain. Meaning we’re all in the dark as to how much we have in our brain.

Azapirones

Buspar Buspirone
Drug Class
Buspirone is in the drug class of Azapirones. There is no addiction risk, overall there are less side effects than many other anxiolytic medicines. It can take up to a month for the medication to work fully. Typically prescribed for generalized anxiety.
What Does It Do?
This drug class impacts serotonin and dopamine receptors. The full mechanism of the drug aren’t known actually. But, because it seems to take 2-4 weeks to make a difference, that would mean it likely has to do with the receptors for serotonin and dopamine.
It is thought that by the receptors adjusting, it can make them more adaptive and therefore better able to handle stress. Another possibility is that by blocking serotonin receptors, an increase of serotonin is available, which improves symptoms for some types of anxiety disorders.
Did You Know?
The drug Buspar was originally developed for schizophrenia, but wasn’t useful. It did however seem to help people with anxiety. Dizziness seems to be one of the most common complaints as far as side effects.

Antihistamines

brompheniramine, dimetane, benadryl, diphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clistin, clemastine, tavist, doxylamine, unisom, hydroxyzine, atarax, vistaril, promethazine, phenergan, triprolidine, triafed
Drug Class
Commonly used for allergies but also used for anxiety. Antihistamines are divided into different ‘generations’ & target different histamine receptors in our body.

• H1 Receptors: Found Throughout the Body
• H2 Receptors: Mostly Stomach Acid Secretion
• H3 Receptors: Central Nervous System
• H4 Receptors: Still Being Researched

What Do Antihistamines Do?
We’re actually still learning a lot about histamines but what we do know is that anti-histamines are usually anticholinergic; blocking receptors for choline.
Vistaril, hydroxyzine and Atarax are commonly prescribed for anxiety.
While your risks with this drug class are much less severe than when taking benzodiazepines, these are first generation antihistamines. Therefore, they do have a sedating effect (precisely why they can relieve tension) but this also means they can impair our ability to remember, think and learn. Especially the first generation antihistamines that easily penetrate our brain.
An example of second generation antihistamines are Claritin & Zyrtec. Unlike first generation antihistamines, these do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily. Therefore, they relieve many effects of allergies, but do not have as many sedating properties or memory impairments associated with them. When it comes to anxiety though, Claritin & Zyrtec won’t do you much good.
Did you know?
The only drug within this class that can be given intravenously is Benadryl. Since Benadryl is a first generation, it impacts our body in many ways in addition to the reason why it’s administered. Since first generation antihistamines are much less specific in their effects, they have more side effects.
Though, being the only IV antihistamine available, it is still widely used in hospital settings (for anxiety included).

Benzodiazepines

alprazolam, xanax, chlordiazepoxide, librium, clonazepam, klonopin, clorazepate, tranxene, diazepam, valium, lorazepam, ativan, oxazepam, serax, temazepam, restoril, triazolam, halcion
Drug Class
These are commonly used as anxiety medicines (though can be used for seizures, insomnia, and muscle spasms). They work by quickly slowing down important parts of our brain.
This drug class specifically targets the GABA-A receptor, enhancing its effect, which slows down our central nervous system; this makes us feel relaxed, because the drug has retarted a major gear in our system (sometimes this is EXACTLY what we need).
Anesthesiologists often give Versed (a benzodiazepine) so patients will not remember surgery?
The Drawbacks of Benzos
When Benzodiazepines were first discovered they offered an immediate solution to the overwhelming crippling anxiety that many people face, but the harsh reality is we’re now in a benzo addiction crisis. We’re learning over time as a society, and those changes don’t happen overnight.
This drug class changes our mental state & while the drug is advantageously quick acting, the effects linger. Short-term memory is not as affected, but long-term memory is specifically impaired. The memory loss may occur because events are not transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory.
The effects are similar to the long-term effects of alcoholism (alcohol is also a CNS depressant). Both of these substances, used long term actually damage our brain.
This is why a rehab center isn’t going to allow the use of this drug class while recovering. This is why therapists often (but not always) stray away from patients taking benzodiazepines while trying to work on trauma, recovery, etc. If the brain is not functioning at full capacity & you’re not able to retain information, progress becomes much more difficult.
The most effective aspects of benzodiazepines are precisely why individuals have a tendency to become dependent on them.
Obviously, there is a time and a place for benzodiazepines. They’re a life saver for the (hopefully) occasional panic attack. But how sadistic is that Benzodiazepines have addictive properties, which means that with consistent repeated use we will need increasingly higher doses.
Another point of concern is that this drug will inhibit your brain from initiating activity of GABA A (since the medication has so kindly been doing it). What this means is that after the drug is long gone from your system, your brain experiences a lag in restoring the normal GABA balance.
This is often what is referred to as “rebound anxiety” because your anxiety is likely to get worse, before it gets better after taking a benzodiazepine, especially if taken frequently and long term.
The mental health world is increasingly trying to move towards low dosing and only prescribing for a limited amount of time. I’ve even worked with prescribers who won’t prescribe them, period.
Now, Benzodiazepines are very dangerous to quit cold turkey, so please don’t go flush yours down the toilet after reading this!

Beta Blockers

acebutolol, atenolol, tenormin, bisoprolol, zebeta, metoprolol, lopressor, toprol XL, nadolol, corgard, nebivolol, bystolic, propranolol, inderal, innopran XL
Drug Class
A beta blocker is most often used for heart conditions since this drug class lowers blood pressure and heart rate. But, they do this by blocking epinephrine which we commonly refer to as adrenaline. By blocking adrenaline, you prevent the progression of the physical symptoms of anxiety, like increased heart rate and blood pressure.
These can be prescribed “as needed” and is also prescribed long term to be taken regularly. Sometimes doctors will prescribe them for public speaking, or other stressful events someone has to face.
What do Beta Blockers Do?
Well, they Block Beta-adrenergic receptors, preventing norepinephrine and epinephrine from activating those receptors. This relaxes heart muscles, slows the heart beat, and lowers blood pressure.
That might seem completely unrelated to anxiety to some people, but when anxiety starts it will create physical symptoms that tend to make us feel even more panicked. This is why it can be pretty helpful to stop the physical symptoms from escalating an already not-so-good state of mind.
Did you know?
Beta blockers can be used for tremors, migraines, abnormal heart rhythms, and chest pain too.
Summary
Beta blockers can be a useful anxiety medication. As a nurse some of the things I pay attention to when a patient is prescribed them are obviously heart rate and blood pressure. Energy level is always something that can be impacted too.
It’s not uncommon for someone to become tired, groggy, lightheaded, or get headaches from beta blockers. Even for people who take it for high blood pressure and heart rate, it can have a tendency to drop them too low.
Everyone is different, our diets change, our weight changes, our stress levels change, how hydrated we are fluctuates, our salt intake varies; and all of these impact our blood pressure. So, it’s always a good idea to be keeping an eye on your heart performance with a beta blocker and your doctor who is prescribing should be too.

Tricyclic Antidepressant TCAs

anafranil, clomipramine, asendin, amoxapine, elavil, amitriptyline, norpramin, desipramine, pamelor, nortriptyline, sinequan, doxepin, surmontil, trimipramine, tofranil, imipramine, vivactil, protiptyline
Drug Class
The word “tricyclic” refers to the three molecular ring shapes associated with this drug class. These existed before SSRIs, but they seem to cause more side effects. This has led to SSRIs being more commonly prescribed nowadays.
TCAs are still often prescribed for things like anxiety, depression, migraines, panic disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, hormone disorders, bedwetting, and even nerve pain.
What do Tricyclic Antidepressants Do?
What do all TCAs have in common? Similar to an SSRI, tricyclic antidepressants impact neurotransmitters. But, in addition to serotonin, they also block the reabsorption of norepinephrine. They ALSO block acetylcholine receptors.
These key differences from SSRIs create a cascade of effects in the body that make them a bit more likely to cause side effects; like dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
Did You Know?
In 1945, the Sulphur bridge of the phenothiazine ring of promethazine was altered to synthesize G22355 (a weak antihistamine and mild anticholinergic with sedative properties). The new ‘invention’ was tested as an antipsychotic. It was ineffective for schizophrenia, but did have antidepressant properties. Thus, the first clinically useful tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) was discovered.
Summary
These drugs interfere with our bodies baseline of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. As with any drug; sometimes they create an optimal effect on a person, as for others, not so much. If a person is too excitable and anxious, a TCA can improve their quality of life, while for another it can leave a bad impression.
*Note each drug within the class impacts the degree of these effects a little differently.

Antipsychotics

sometimes referred to as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics
risperidone, risperdal, quetiapine, seroquel, olanzapine, zyprexa, ziprasidone, zeldox, paliperidone, invega, aripiprazole, abilify, clozapine, clozaril, fluphenazine
Drug Class
Commonly used as the first line treatment for schizophrenia & sometimes used for mood disorders, depression, personality disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and anxiety.
What Do They Do?
Most drugs in this class work to block Dopamine, though some do impact other chemicals in the brain.
Schizophrenia is the major psychotic disorder we use antipsychotics for. Some of the main symptoms are delusions, lack of motivation, unusual behaviors, and hallucinations. Dopamine has been thought to regulate our brains understanding of our surroundings and what it all means to us. So, it’s to be expected that drugs within this class target Dopamine.
This class is broken up into two categories;
First Generation (old, typical): Block Dopamine-2 Receptors, which means they also block acetylcholine, histamine and norepinephrine. which can impact our cognition and the complex way in which we store memories.
*More movement disorders come with the first generation antipsychotics.
Second Generation: (new, atypical): Block Serotonin and Dopamine Receptors. Less risk of extra movements, increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
Hopefully this helps clarify some information on these common 7 classes of medications. If not feel free to submit a question in the comments, or by using my contact form below and I’ll do my best to answer.
Original Post https://twoforsue.com/medications-for-anxiety/

Memory loss is a common topic within the mental health world. I'm going to do my best to summarize some research on which mental health medications impact our memory and why they do.
I'm not against any of these medications. Taking any medication is a risk vs benefit scenario and this is not any sort of medical advise.
​
I will Include the link to the original post that is probably easier to follow but also going to include all the info below.
https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/
​
​
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs
citalopram, celexa, escitalopram, lexapro, fluoxetine, prozac, sarafem, symbyax, fluvoxamine, luvox, luvox CR, paroxetine, paxil, paxil CR, pexeva, sertraline, zoloft, vilazodone, viibryd
Drug class
This is a very common drug class; prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, migraines, panic attacks, eating disorders, PTSD, OCD, and even chronic pain. Over 10% of the US takes an SSRI.
What Do SSRIs Do?
What does every medication within this class have in common? They all increase the level of Serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. When you take a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, you’re blocking the neurons from reabsorbing Serotonin, meaning there is more Serotonin available.
So what does Serotonin do? Well, A LOT. Serotonin influences our mood and emotional state, our digestion, appetite, our sleep cycle. It is found in your brain, in your intestines and even in your blood. One could argue that it impacts everything.
Did You Know?
Serotonin is even in animals, plants and fungus. While we can measure the levels in our blood we cannot measure the levels within our brain. Meaning we’re all in the dark as to how much is within our brain and whether or not it’s even correlated to the amount in our blood.
How SSRIs Impact Memory
Age and gender do not seem to influence the data that SSRIs are correlated with memory effects. Something that is important to mention, is that while research has shown that SSRIs are correlated with memory loss, that doesn’t exactly mean that they CAUSE it. Correlation and cause are two different things. Many people that take SSRIs also take benzodiazepines, drink, smoke, have genetic predisposition to memory loss, etc. Depression and anxiety themselves can even cause memory problems.
Summary
So, after reading through many articles, there overall wasn’t enough credible information to emphatically say that an SSRI causes memory loss. In fact, I came across more research that suggested SSRIs improve cognitive performance and memory. Some data also specifically supported that SSRI’s can improve memory for patients experiencing psychosis and depression.
​
​
​
Tricyclic Antidepressant TCAs
anafranil, clomipramine, asendin, amoxapine, elavil, amitriptyline, norpramin, desipramine, pamelor, nortriptyline, sinequan, doxepin, surmontil, trimipramine, tofranil, imipramine, vivactil, protiptyline
Drug Class
The word “tricyclic” refers to the three molecular ring shapes associated with this drug class. These existed before SSRIs, but they seem to cause more side effects. This has led to SSRIs being more commonly prescribed nowadays. TCAs are still often administered for things like anxiety, depression, migraines, panic disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, hormone disorders, bedwetting, and even nerve pain.
What do Tricyclic Antidepressants Do?
What do all TCAs have in common? Similar to an SSRI, tricyclic antidepressants impact neurotransmitters. But, in addition to serotonin, they also block the reabsorption of norepinephrine. They ALSO block acetylcholine receptors. These key differences create a cascade of effects in the body that do impact memory. These key differences are also the culprit for the common side effects in this drug class like dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
Did You Know?
In 1945, the Sulphur bridge of the phenothiazine ring of promethazine was altered to synthesize G22355 ( a weak antihistamine and mild anticholinergic with sedative properties). The new 'invention' was tested as an antipsychotic. It was ineffective for schizophrenia, but did have antidepressant properties. Thus, the first clinically useful tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) was discovered.
How TCAs Impact Memory
There are multiple reasons why a TCA impacts our memory. The first reason is that we retain memory best when norepinephrine is released at an optimal rate. These drugs block the reabsorption of norepinephrine; which is known to be a moderator of memory. With too much of it, we are anxious and stressed, too little of it and we are drowsy and not as coherent. Either way, the drug has an impact on norepinephrine which directly influences how we store memory.
The second reason why this drug class impacts memory is because it competes with our natural antagonists on muscarinic, and histaminergic receptors. It is well documented that these drugs block muscarinic receptors (which is an acetylcholine receptor), and acetylcholine directly impacts learning and memory.

“Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampus and cortex underlie memory formation”

Summary
So, TCAs are a drug that research has linked with memory impairments and dementia. These drugs interfere with our bodies baseline of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. As with any drug; sometimes they create an optimal effect on a person, as for others, not so much. If a person is too excitable and anxious, a TCA can improve their quality of life (even could improve memory if their extreme anxiety was impairing it), while for another it can make them drowsy and leave a bad impression.
*Note each drug within the class impacts the degree of these effects a little differently.
If you’re feeling like doing a deep dive into some of the articles I read to gain clarity, by all means, click the links below!
Differential Cognitive Actions of Norepinephrine α2 and α1 Receptor Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex
The effect of tricyclic antidepressants on cholinergic responses of single cortical neurones.
A brief history of antidepressant drug development: from tricyclics to beyond ketamine
​
​
Benzodiazepines
alprazolam, xanax, chlordiazepoxide, librium, clonazepam, klonopin, clorazepate, tranxene, diazepam, valium, lorazepam, ativan, oxazepam, serax, temazepam, restoril, triazolam, halcion
Drug Class
These are commonly considered anti-anxiety medication (though can be used for seizures, insomnia, and muscle spasms). They work by quickly slowing down important parts of our brain.
Let’s taco ‘bout it.
This drug class specifically targets the GABA-A receptor, enhancing its effect, which slows down our central nervous system; this makes us feel relaxed, because the drug has retarted a major gear in our system (sometimes this is EXACTLY what we need).
Did You Know?
Anesthesiologists often give Versed (a benzodiazepine) so patients will not remember surgery?
How Benzodiazepines Impact Memory
This drug class changes our mental state & while the drug is advantageously quick acting, the effects linger. Short-term memory is not as affected, but long-term memory is specifically impaired. The memory loss may occur because events are not transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory and thus not consolidated into memory storage. The effects are similar to the long-term effects of alcoholism (alcohol is also a CNS depressant). Both of these substances, used long term actually damage our brain.
This is why a rehab center isn’t going to allow the use of 'said drug' while ‘recovering’. This is why therapists often (but not always) stray away from patients taking 'said drug' while trying to work on trauma, recovery, etc. If the brain is not functioning & you're not able to remember anything, how can you work on it? The most effective aspects of benzodiazepines are precisely why individuals have a tendency to become dependent on them.
Now, don't shoot the messenger. Obviously, there is a time and a place for benzodiazepines. They're an actual life saver for the (hopefully) occasional panic attack. But how sadistic is that Benzodiazepines have addictive properties, which means that with repeated use we will need increasingly higher doses, making the dent in your memory more and more indisputable.
Full Disclosure
My mother was an addict, benzodiazepines being her drug of choice.
Do you know an addict whose drug of choice is a benzodiazepine? No SHAME, but if so, you can probably attest that they don’t remember shit.
How about an addict whose drug of choice is alcohol? All love here, but you can say for certain, they don’t remember shit.
There has even been a fair amount of data to support that the risk of Alzheimer’s is elevated in those taking the drug for over 6 months. One Harvard study even speculated that it would raise the risk by 84%! Seems unrealistic, but who am I to question Harvard; I'll add the link below if you're also feeling speculative.
Another point of concern is that this drug will inhibit your brain from initiating activity of GABA A (since the medication has so kindly been doing it). What this means is that after the drug is long gone from your system, your brain experiences a lag in restoring the normal GABA balance.
This is often what is referred to as “rebound anxiety” because your anxiety is likely to get worse, before it gets better after taking a benzodiazepine, especially if taken long term.
Take it from a nurse who works in mental health; it's not enjoyable being the bystander of a patient trying to escape their benzo addiction.
But this is why the mental health world is increasingly trying to move towards low dosing and only prescribing for a limited amount of time.
Now, Benzodiazepines are very dangerous to quit cold turkey, so please don’t go flush yours down the toilet after reading this.
When Benzodiazepines were first discovered they offered an immediate solution to the overwhelming crippling anxiety that many people face, but the harsh reality is that we’re now in a benzo addiction crisis. We’re learning over time, as a society and those changes don’t happen overnight. And trust me, as a mental health professional I myself occasionally grow infuriated at the amount of family doctors who prescribe copious amounts of benzodiazepines only to later turn the patient away after addiction has crippled them.
Harvard Article Claims Benzodiazepine use may raise risk of Alzheimer’s disease

“Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.” ― Steven Wright

​
​
Anti-Epileptics
topiramate, topamax, zonisamide, zonegran, levetiracetam, keppra, pregabalin, lyrica, clonazepam, klonopin, rufinamide, banzel, vigabatrin, sabril, phenytoin, dilantin, oxcarbazepine, trileptal, carbamazepine, tegretol, lamotrigine, lamictal, lacosamide, vimpat, valproic acid, depakote, phenobarbital, gabapentin, neurontin
Drug Class
Anti-seizure medications are commonly used for mood disorders and even anxiety in addition to epilepsy.
What Do They Do?
Epilepsy is caused by excessive hyperexcitability of the nervous system therefore, medications in this class are geared toward minimizing excitability. This drug class actually encompasses three different major classes

1. Blocking Sodium Channels
2. Enhancement of GABA Inhibition
3. Regulation of Synaptic Releases

Why it Impacts Memory
Overall, anticonvulsants work in different ways; trust me I rode the magic school for HOURS trying to gain an understanding of them to write this. Truthfully, we still have a lot to learn about them. Their impact is complicated and the effects range based on the dose and drug.
For instance, Topamax has pretty diverse pharmacologic actions, because of that, it has been linked with impaired concentration, cognitive dulling, psychomotor retardation, language and comprehension difficulties, rather extreme effects on short-term memory and working memory, poor verbal fluency and word-finding, reduced IQ scores, abnormal thinking and delayed cognitive speed. Because of this dark cloud of side effects, Topamax is sometimes referred to as 'Dope-A-Max'.
However, a more selective medication within the drug class such as Phenytoin or Tegretol are more specific to blocking sodium channels. Overall, they seem to have less impact on memory and cognitive function.
Many of these drugs listed above have an impact on GABA, and long term exposure to GABA agents can alter the functionality of GABA permanently, which means there are potentially permanent consequences to cognition, behaviors, and memory.
Phenobarbital has been linked to lower IQ, and worse effects than Depakote and Tegretol, however it is actually a barbituate. It’s effects are similar to benzodiazepines which you can read more about above.
Gabapentin, used for seizures and often mood disorders, belongs to it's own drug class. Still, it has been linked to memory impairment. Hence, the name, it also impacts GABA, which as mentioned several times now, certainly plays a hand in our ability to remember. At this point there isn’t enough research to say it’s linked to dementia though.
As far as drugs for epilepsy, Gabapentin is tolerated much better than many others. It’s also worth mentioning that this drug seems to have more short term effects on memory. Some will experience a disorienting feeling or short term memory loss while taking Gabapentin, but the reports of long term memory being impacted are reported less often.
Long Term Effects of Gabapentin
​
​
​
Antipsychotics
sometimes referred to as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics; risperidone, risperdal, quetiapine, seroquel, olanzapine, zyprexa, ziprasidone, zeldox, paliperidone, invega, aripiprazole, abilify, clozapine, clozaril, fluphenazine
Drug Class
Commonly used as the first line treatment for schizophrenia & sometimes used for mood disorders, depression, personality disorders, Tourette's syndrome & Huntington's disease
What Do They Do?
Most drugs in this class work to block Dopamine, though some do impact other chemicals in the brain.
Did You Know?
Oddly enough, memory seems to actually be improved when using an antipsychotic for a person with psychotic symptoms, though there are many that take medications within this class that are not psychotic. So let's talk about that more.
Why It Impacts Memory
First, let's skip back to the purpose of these drugs. Schizophrenia is the major psychotic disorder we use antipsychotics for. Some of the main symptoms are delusions, lack of motivation, unusual behaviors, and hallucinations. Dopamine has been thought to regulate our brains understanding of our surroundings and what it all means to us. So, it's to be expected that drugs within this class target Dopamine.
This class is broken up into two categories;
First Generation (old, typical): Block Dopamine-2 Receptors, which means they also block acetylcholine, histamine and norepinephrine. which do impact the complex way in which we store memories. *More movement disorders come with the old ones.
Second Generation: (new, atypical): Block Serotonin and Dopamine Receptors**.** Less risk of extra movements, increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
What do they all have in common? They impact Dopamine. Long story short; A delicate balance of Dopamine is needed for memory to function. Since this class targets Dopamine, it's fair to say it has the potential to alter our memory. Whether that's a good or bad thing is specific to the patient, but it's typically an unwelcome effect.
Antihistamines
brompheniramine, dimetane, benadryl, diphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clistin, clemastine, tavist, doxylamine, unisom, hydroxyzine, atarax, vistaril, promethazine, phenergan, triprolidine, triafed
Drug Class
Commonly used for allergies but also used for anxiety. Antihistamines are divided into different 'generations' & target different histamine receptors in our body.

• H1 Receptors: Found Throughout the Body
• H2 Receptors: Mostly Stomach Acid Secretion
• H3 Receptors: Central Nervous System
• H4 Receptors: Still Being Researched

What Do They Do?
We're actually still learning a lot about histamines but what we do know is that **anti-**histamines are usually anticholinergic; blocking receptors for choline. The problem is that we need choline to be readily available to have the ability to learn, understand and remember.
Why it Impacts Memory?
Being that antihistamines are often anticholinergic, they do impair our ability to think, learn and remember. Especially the first generation antihistamines that easily penetrate our brain. We already naturally produce less acetylcholine overtime. This is partly why as we age our ability to remember, think, and learn diminishes. It's widely known that anticholinergics impact memory, thinking, learning, and muscle function. It is also suggested that these drugs increase the risk of developing dementia.
Did you know?
The only drug within this class that can be given intravenously is Benadryl. Since Benadryl is a first generation, it impacts our body in many ways in addition to the reason why it's administered. Since first generation antihistamines are much less specific in their effects, they are affiliated with greater memory impairment. Though, being the only IV antihistamine available, it is still widely used in hospital settings.
Summary
Overall, the effects range. Regarding mental health specifically; Vistaril, hydroxyzine and Atarax are commonly prescribed for anxiety. While your risks are much less severe than benzodiazepines, these are FIRST generation antihistamines. Therefore, they do have a sedating effect (precisely why they can relieve tension) but this is also means they do impair our ability to remember.
An example of second generation antihistamines are Claritin & Zyrtec. Unlike first generation antihistamines, these do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily. Therefore, they relieve many effects of allergies, but do not have as many sedating properties or memory impairments associated with them. When it comes to anxiety though, Claritin & Zyrtec won't do you much good.
Here is the link again for original post below.
https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/

Memory loss is a common topic within the mental health world. I'm an RN that works in Mental Health & going to do my best to summarize some research on which mental health medications impact our memory and why they do.
​
I will Include the link to the original post that is probably easier to follow but also going to include all the info below.
https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/
​
​
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs
citalopram, celexa, escitalopram, lexapro, fluoxetine, prozac, sarafem, symbyax, fluvoxamine, luvox, luvox CR, paroxetine, paxil, paxil CR, pexeva, sertraline, zoloft, vilazodone, viibryd
Drug class
This is a very common drug class; prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, migraines, panic attacks, eating disorders, PTSD, OCD, and even chronic pain. Over 10% of the US takes an SSRI.
What Do SSRIs Do?
What does every medication within this class have in common? They all increase the level of Serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. When you take a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, you’re blocking the neurons from reabsorbing Serotonin, meaning there is more Serotonin available.
So what does Serotonin do? Well, A LOT. Serotonin influences our mood and emotional state, our digestion, appetite, our sleep cycle. It is found in your brain, in your intestines and even in your blood. One could argue that it impacts everything.
Did You Know?
Serotonin is even in animals, plants and fungus. While we can measure the levels in our blood we cannot measure the levels within our brain. Meaning we’re all in the dark as to how much is within our brain and whether or not it’s even correlated to the amount in our blood.
How SSRIs Impact Memory
Age and gender do not seem to influence the data that SSRIs are correlated with memory effects. Something that is important to mention, is that while research has shown that SSRIs are correlated with memory loss, that doesn’t exactly mean that they CAUSE it. Correlation and cause are two different things. Many people that take SSRIs also take benzodiazepines, drink, smoke, have genetic predisposition to memory loss, etc. Depression and anxiety themselves can even cause memory problems.
Summary
So, after reading through many articles, there overall wasn’t enough credible information to emphatically say that an SSRI causes memory loss. In fact, I came across more research that suggested SSRIs improve cognitive performance and memory. Some data also specifically supported that SSRI’s can improve memory for patients experiencing psychosis and depression.
​
​
Tricyclic Antidepressant TCAs
anafranil, clomipramine, asendin, amoxapine, elavil, amitriptyline, norpramin, desipramine, pamelor, nortriptyline, sinequan, doxepin, surmontil, trimipramine, tofranil, imipramine, vivactil, protiptyline
Drug Class
The word “tricyclic” refers to the three molecular ring shapes associated with this drug class. These existed before SSRIs, but they seem to cause more side effects. This has led to SSRIs being more commonly prescribed nowadays. TCAs are still often administered for things like anxiety, depression, migraines, panic disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, hormone disorders, bedwetting, and even nerve pain.
What do Tricyclic Antidepressants Do?
What do all TCAs have in common? Similar to an SSRI, tricyclic antidepressants impact neurotransmitters. But, in addition to serotonin, they also block the reabsorption of norepinephrine. They ALSO block acetylcholine receptors. These key differences create a cascade of effects in the body that do impact memory. These key differences are also the culprit for the common side effects in this drug class like dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
Did You Know?
In 1945, the Sulphur bridge of the phenothiazine ring of promethazine was altered to synthesize G22355 ( a weak antihistamine and mild anticholinergic with sedative properties). The new 'invention' was tested as an antipsychotic. It was ineffective for schizophrenia, but did have antidepressant properties. Thus, the first clinically useful tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) was discovered.
How TCAs Impact Memory
There are multiple reasons why a TCA impacts our memory. The first reason is that we retain memory best when norepinephrine is released at an optimal rate. These drugs block the reabsorption of norepinephrine; which is known to be a moderator of memory. With too much of it, we are anxious and stressed, too little of it and we are drowsy and not as coherent. Either way, the drug has an impact on norepinephrine which directly influences how we store memory.
The second reason why this drug class impacts memory is because it competes with our natural antagonists on muscarinic, and histaminergic receptors. It is well documented that these drugs block muscarinic receptors (which is an acetylcholine receptor), and acetylcholine directly impacts learning and memory.

“Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampus and cortex underlie memory formation”

Summary
So, TCAs are a drug that research has linked with memory impairments and dementia. These drugs interfere with our bodies baseline of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. As with any drug; sometimes they create an optimal effect on a person, as for others, not so much. If a person is too excitable and anxious, a TCA can improve their quality of life (even could improve memory if their extreme anxiety was impairing it), while for another it can make them drowsy and leave a bad impression.
*Note each drug within the class impacts the degree of these effects a little differently.
If you’re feeling like doing a deep dive into some of the articles I read to gain clarity, by all means, click the links below!
Differential Cognitive Actions of Norepinephrine α2 and α1 Receptor Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex
The effect of tricyclic antidepressants on cholinergic responses of single cortical neurones.
A brief history of antidepressant drug development: from tricyclics to beyond ketamine
​
​
Benzodiazepines
alprazolam, xanax, chlordiazepoxide, librium, clonazepam, klonopin, clorazepate, tranxene, diazepam, valium, lorazepam, ativan, oxazepam, serax, temazepam, restoril, triazolam, halcion
Drug Class
These are commonly considered anti-anxiety medication (though can be used for seizures, insomnia, and muscle spasms). They work by quickly slowing down important parts of our brain.
Let’s taco ‘bout it.
This drug class specifically targets the GABA-A receptor, enhancing its effect, which slows down our central nervous system; this makes us feel relaxed, because the drug has retarted a major gear in our system (sometimes this is EXACTLY what we need).
Did You Know?
Anesthesiologists often give Versed (a benzodiazepine) so patients will not remember surgery?
How Benzodiazepines Impact Memory
This drug class changes our mental state & while the drug is advantageously quick acting, the effects linger. Short-term memory is not as affected, but long-term memory is specifically impaired. The memory loss may occur because events are not transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory and thus not consolidated into memory storage. The effects are similar to the long-term effects of alcoholism (alcohol is also a CNS depressant). Both of these substances, used long term actually damage our brain.
This is why a rehab center isn’t going to allow the use of 'said drug' while ‘recovering’. This is why therapists often (but not always) stray away from patients taking 'said drug' while trying to work on trauma, recovery, etc. If the brain is not functioning & you're not able to remember anything, how can you work on it? The most effective aspects of benzodiazepines are precisely why individuals have a tendency to become dependent on them.
Now, don't shoot the messenger. Obviously, there is a time and a place for benzodiazepines. They're an actual life saver for the (hopefully) occasional panic attack. But how sadistic is that Benzodiazepines have addictive properties, which means that with repeated use we will need increasingly higher doses, making the dent in your memory more and more indisputable.
Full Disclosure
My mother was an addict, benzodiazepines being her drug of choice.
Do you know an addict whose drug of choice is a benzodiazepine? No SHAME, but if so, you can probably attest that they don’t remember shit.
How about an addict whose drug of choice is alcohol? All love here, but you can say for certain, they don’t remember shit.
There has even been a fair amount of data to support that the risk of Alzheimer’s is elevated in those taking the drug for over 6 months. One Harvard study even speculated that it would raise the risk by 84%! Seems unrealistic, but who am I to question Harvard; I'll add the link below if you're also feeling speculative.
Another point of concern is that this drug will inhibit your brain from initiating activity of GABA A (since the medication has so kindly been doing it). What this means is that after the drug is long gone from your system, your brain experiences a lag in restoring the normal GABA balance.
This is often what is referred to as “rebound anxiety” because your anxiety is likely to get worse, before it gets better after taking a benzodiazepine, especially if taken long term.
Take it from a nurse who works in mental health; it's not enjoyable being the bystander of a patient trying to escape their benzo addiction.
But this is why the mental health world is increasingly trying to move towards low dosing and only prescribing for a limited amount of time.
Now, Benzodiazepines are very dangerous to quit cold turkey, so please don’t go flush yours down the toilet after reading this.
When Benzodiazepines were first discovered they offered an immediate solution to the overwhelming crippling anxiety that many people face, but the harsh reality is that we’re now in a benzo addiction crisis. We’re learning over time, as a society and those changes don’t happen overnight. And trust me, as a mental health professional I myself occasionally grow infuriated at the amount of family doctors who prescribe copious amounts of benzodiazepines only to later turn the patient away after addiction has crippled them.
Harvard Article Claims Benzodiazepine use may raise risk of Alzheimer’s disease

“Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.” ― Steven Wright

​
​
Anti-Epileptics
topiramate, topamax, zonisamide, zonegran, levetiracetam, keppra, pregabalin, lyrica, clonazepam, klonopin, rufinamide, banzel, vigabatrin, sabril, phenytoin, dilantin, oxcarbazepine, trileptal, carbamazepine, tegretol, lamotrigine, lamictal, lacosamide, vimpat, valproic acid, depakote, phenobarbital, gabapentin, neurontin
Drug Class
Anti-seizure medications are commonly used for mood disorders and even anxiety in addition to epilepsy.
What Do They Do?
Epilepsy is caused by excessive hyperexcitability of the nervous system therefore, medications in this class are geared toward minimizing excitability. This drug class actually encompasses three different major classes

1. Blocking Sodium Channels
2. Enhancement of GABA Inhibition
3. Regulation of Synaptic Releases

Why it Impacts Memory
Overall, anticonvulsants work in different ways; trust me I rode the magic school for HOURS trying to gain an understanding of them to write this. Truthfully, we still have a lot to learn about them. Their impact is complicated and the effects range based on the dose and drug.
For instance, Topamax has pretty diverse pharmacologic actions, because of that, it has been linked with impaired concentration, cognitive dulling, psychomotor retardation, language and comprehension difficulties, rather extreme effects on short-term memory and working memory, poor verbal fluency and word-finding, reduced IQ scores, abnormal thinking and delayed cognitive speed. Because of this dark cloud of side effects, Topamax is sometimes referred to as 'Dope-A-Max'.
However, a more selective medication within the drug class such as Phenytoin or Tegretol are more specific to blocking sodium channels. Overall, they seem to have less impact on memory and cognitive function.
Many of these drugs listed above have an impact on GABA, and long term exposure to GABA agents can alter the functionality of GABA permanently, which means there are potentially permanent consequences to cognition, behaviors, and memory.
Phenobarbital has been linked to lower IQ, and worse effects than Depakote and Tegretol, however it is actually a barbituate. It’s effects are similar to benzodiazepines which you can read more about above.
Gabapentin, used for seizures and often mood disorders, belongs to it's own drug class. Still, it has been linked to memory impairment. Hence, the name, it also impacts GABA, which as mentioned several times now, certainly plays a hand in our ability to remember. At this point there isn’t enough research to say it’s linked to dementia though.
As far as drugs for epilepsy, Gabapentin is tolerated much better than many others. It’s also worth mentioning that this drug seems to have more short term effects on memory. Some will experience a disorienting feeling or short term memory loss while taking Gabapentin, but the reports of long term memory being impacted are reported less often.
Long Term Effects of Gabapentin
​
​
​
Antipsychotics
sometimes referred to as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics; risperidone, risperdal, quetiapine, seroquel, olanzapine, zyprexa, ziprasidone, zeldox, paliperidone, invega, aripiprazole, abilify, clozapine, clozaril, fluphenazine
Drug Class
Commonly used as the first line treatment for schizophrenia & sometimes used for mood disorders, depression, personality disorders, Tourette's syndrome & Huntington's disease
What Do They Do?
Most drugs in this class work to block Dopamine, though some do impact other chemicals in the brain.
Did You Know?
Oddly enough, memory seems to actually be improved when using an antipsychotic for a person with psychotic symptoms, though there are many that take medications within this class that are not psychotic. So let's talk about that more.
Why It Impacts Memory
First, let's skip back to the purpose of these drugs. Schizophrenia is the major psychotic disorder we use antipsychotics for. Some of the main symptoms are delusions, lack of motivation, unusual behaviors, and hallucinations. Dopamine has been thought to regulate our brains understanding of our surroundings and what it all means to us. So, it's to be expected that drugs within this class target Dopamine.
This class is broken up into two categories;
First Generation (old, typical): Block Dopamine-2 Receptors, which means they also block acetylcholine, histamine and norepinephrine. which do impact the complex way in which we store memories. *More movement disorders come with the old ones.
Second Generation: (new, atypical): Block Serotonin and Dopamine Receptors**.** Less risk of extra movements, increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
What do they all have in common? They impact Dopamine. Long story short; A delicate balance of Dopamine is needed for memory to function. Since this class targets Dopamine, it's fair to say it has the potential to alter our memory. Whether that's a good or bad thing is specific to the patient, but it's typically an unwelcome effect.
​
​
​
​
Antihistamines
brompheniramine, dimetane, benadryl, diphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clistin, clemastine, tavist, doxylamine, unisom, hydroxyzine, atarax, vistaril, promethazine, phenergan, triprolidine, triafed
Drug Class
Commonly used for allergies but also used for anxiety. Antihistamines are divided into different 'generations' & target different histamine receptors in our body.

• H1 Receptors: Found Throughout the Body
• H2 Receptors: Mostly Stomach Acid Secretion
• H3 Receptors: Central Nervous System
• H4 Receptors: Still Being Researched

What Do They Do?
We're actually still learning a lot about histamines but what we do know is that **anti-**histamines are usually anticholinergic; blocking receptors for choline. The problem is that we need choline to be readily available to have the ability to learn, understand and remember.
Why it Impacts Memory?
Being that antihistamines are often anticholinergic, they do impair our ability to think, learn and remember. Especially the first generation antihistamines that easily penetrate our brain. We already naturally produce less acetylcholine overtime. This is partly why as we age our ability to remember, think, and learn diminishes. It's widely known that anticholinergics impact memory, thinking, learning, and muscle function. It is also suggested that these drugs increase the risk of developing dementia.
Did you know?
The only drug within this class that can be given intravenously is Benadryl. Since Benadryl is a first generation, it impacts our body in many ways in addition to the reason why it's administered. Since first generation antihistamines are much less specific in their effects, they are affiliated with greater memory impairment. Though, being the only IV antihistamine available, it is still widely used in hospital settings.
Summary
Overall, the effects range. Regarding mental health specifically; Vistaril, hydroxyzine and Atarax are commonly prescribed for anxiety. While your risks are much less severe than benzodiazepines, these are FIRST generation antihistamines. Therefore, they do have a sedating effect (precisely why they can relieve tension) but this is also means they do impair our ability to remember.
An example of second generation antihistamines are Claritin & Zyrtec. Unlike first generation antihistamines, these do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily. Therefore, they relieve many effects of allergies, but do not have as many sedating properties or memory impairments associated with them. When it comes to anxiety though, Claritin & Zyrtec won't do you much good.
​
Here is the link again for original post below.
https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/

Memory loss is a common topic within the mental health world. I'm an RN that works in Mental Health & going to do my best to summarize some research on which mental health medications impact our memory and why they do.
Memory refers to the mechanisms that are used to collect, accumulate, preserve, and later retrieve information. There are three actions involved in 'memory': processing, storing, and recalling.

I will Include the link to the original post that is probably easier to follow but also going to include all the info below.

https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/
​
​

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs

citalopram, celexa, escitalopram, lexapro, fluoxetine, prozac, sarafem, symbyax, fluvoxamine, luvox, luvox CR, paroxetine, paxil, paxil CR, pexeva, sertraline, zoloft, vilazodone, viibryd

Drug class

This is a very common drug class; prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, migraines, panic attacks, eating disorders, PTSD, OCD, and even chronic pain. Over 10% of the US takes an SSRI.

What Do SSRIs Do?

What does every medication within this class have in common? They all increase the level of Serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. When you take a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, you’re blocking the neurons from reabsorbing Serotonin, meaning there is more Serotonin available.
So what does Serotonin do? Well, A LOT. Serotonin influences our mood and emotional state, our digestion, appetite, our sleep cycle. It is found in your brain, in your intestines and even in your blood. One could argue that it impacts everything.
Did You Know?
Serotonin is even in animals, plants and fungus. While we can measure the levels in our blood we cannot measure the levels within our brain. Meaning we’re all in the dark as to how much is within our brain and whether or not it’s even correlated to the amount in our blood.
How SSRIs Impact Memory
Age and gender do not seem to influence the data that SSRIs are correlated with memory effects. Something that is important to mention, is that while research has shown that SSRIs are correlated with memory loss, that doesn’t exactly mean that they CAUSE it. Correlation and cause are two different things. Many people that take SSRIs also take benzodiazepines, drink, smoke, have genetic predisposition to memory loss, etc. Depression and anxiety themselves can even cause memory problems.
Summary
So, after reading through many articles, there overall wasn’t enough credible information to emphatically say that an SSRI causes memory loss. In fact, I came across more research that suggested SSRIs improve cognitive performance and memory. Some data also specifically supported that SSRI’s can improve memory for patients experiencing psychosis and depression.
​
​

Tricyclic Antidepressant TCAs

anafranil, clomipramine, asendin, amoxapine, elavil, amitriptyline, norpramin, desipramine, pamelor, nortriptyline, sinequan, doxepin, surmontil, trimipramine, tofranil, imipramine, vivactil, protiptyline
Drug Class
The word “tricyclic” refers to the three molecular ring shapes associated with this drug class. These existed before SSRIs, but they seem to cause more side effects. This has led to SSRIs being more commonly prescribed nowadays. TCAs are still often administered for things like anxiety, depression, migraines, panic disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, hormone disorders, bedwetting, and even nerve pain.
What do Tricyclic Antidepressants Do?
What do all TCAs have in common? Similar to an SSRI, tricyclic antidepressants impact neurotransmitters. But, in addition to serotonin, they also block the reabsorption of norepinephrine. They ALSO block acetylcholine receptors. These key differences create a cascade of effects in the body that do impact memory. These key differences are also the culprit for the common side effects in this drug class like dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
Did You Know?
In 1945, the Sulphur bridge of the phenothiazine ring of promethazine was altered to synthesize G22355 ( a weak antihistamine and mild anticholinergic with sedative properties). The new 'invention' was tested as an antipsychotic. It was ineffective for schizophrenia, but did have antidepressant properties. Thus, the first clinically useful tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) was discovered.
How TCAs Impact Memory
There are multiple reasons why a TCA impacts our memory. The first reason is that we retain memory best when norepinephrine is released at an optimal rate. These drugs block the reabsorption of norepinephrine; which is known to be a moderator of memory. With too much of it, we are anxious and stressed, too little of it and we are drowsy and not as coherent. Either way, the drug has an impact on norepinephrine which directly influences how we store memory.
The second reason why this drug class impacts memory is because it competes with our natural antagonists on muscarinic, and histaminergic receptors. It is well documented that these drugs block muscarinic receptors (which is an acetylcholine receptor), and acetylcholine directly impacts learning and memory.

“Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampus and cortex underlie memory formation”

Summary
So, TCAs are a drug that research has linked with memory impairments and dementia. These drugs interfere with our bodies baseline of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. As with any drug; sometimes they create an optimal effect on a person, as for others, not so much. If a person is too excitable and anxious, a TCA can improve their quality of life (even could improve memory if their extreme anxiety was impairing it), while for another it can make them drowsy and leave a bad impression.
*Note each drug within the class impacts the degree of these effects a little differently.
If you’re feeling like doing a deep dive into some of the articles I read to gain clarity, by all means, click the links below!
Differential Cognitive Actions of Norepinephrine α2 and α1 Receptor Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex
The effect of tricyclic antidepressants on cholinergic responses of single cortical neurones.
A brief history of antidepressant drug development: from tricyclics to beyond ketamine

Benzodiazepines

alprazolam, xanax, chlordiazepoxide, librium, clonazepam, klonopin, clorazepate, tranxene, diazepam, valium, lorazepam, ativan, oxazepam, serax, temazepam, restoril, triazolam, halcion
Drug Class
These are commonly considered anti-anxiety medication (though can be used for seizures, insomnia, and muscle spasms). They work by quickly slowing down important parts of our brain.
​
Let’s taco ‘bout it.
This drug class specifically targets the GABA-A receptor, enhancing its effect, which slows down our central nervous system; this makes us feel relaxed, because the drug has retarted a major gear in our system (sometimes this is EXACTLY what we need).
Did You Know?
Anesthesiologists often give Versed (a benzodiazepine) so patients will not remember surgery?
How Benzodiazepines Impact Memory
This drug class changes our mental state & while the drug is advantageously quick acting, the effects linger. Short-term memory is not as affected, but long-term memory is specifically impaired. The memory loss may occur because events are not transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory and thus not consolidated into memory storage. The effects are similar to the long-term effects of alcoholism (alcohol is also a CNS depressant). Both of these substances, used long term actually damage our brain.
This is why a rehab center isn’t going to allow the use of 'said drug' while ‘recovering’. This is why therapists often (but not always) stray away from patients taking 'said drug' while trying to work on trauma, recovery, etc. If the brain is not functioning & you're not able to remember anything, how can you work on it? The most effective aspects of benzodiazepines are precisely why individuals have a tendency to become dependent on them.
Now, don't shoot the messenger. Obviously, there is a time and a place for benzodiazepines. They're an actual life saver for the (hopefully) occasional panic attack. But how sadistic is that Benzodiazepines have addictive properties, which means that with repeated use we will need increasingly higher doses, making the dent in your memory more and more indisputable.
Full Disclosure
My mother was an addict, benzodiazepines being her drug of choice.
Do you know an addict whose drug of choice is a benzodiazepine? No SHAME, but if so, you can probably attest that they don’t remember shit.
How about an addict whose drug of choice is alcohol? All love here, but you can say for certain, they don’t remember shit.
There has even been a fair amount of data to support that the risk of Alzheimer’s is elevated in those taking the drug for over 6 months. One Harvard study even speculated that it would raise the risk by 84%! Seems unrealistic, but who am I to question Harvard; I'll add the link below if you're also feeling speculative.
Another point of concern is that this drug will inhibit your brain from initiating activity of GABA A (since the medication has so kindly been doing it). What this means is that after the drug is long gone from your system, your brain experiences a lag in restoring the normal GABA balance.
This is often what is referred to as “rebound anxiety” because your anxiety is likely to get worse, before it gets better after taking a benzodiazepine, especially if taken long term.
Take it from a nurse who works in mental health; it's not enjoyable being the bystander of a patient trying to escape their benzo addiction.
But this is why the mental health world is increasingly trying to move towards low dosing and only prescribing for a limited amount of time.
Now, Benzodiazepines are very dangerous to quit cold turkey, so please don’t go flush yours down the toilet after reading this.
When Benzodiazepines were first discovered they offered an immediate solution to the overwhelming crippling anxiety that many people face, but the harsh reality is that we’re now in a benzo addiction crisis. We’re learning over time, as a society and those changes don’t happen overnight. And trust me, as a mental health professional I myself occasionally grow infuriated at the amount of family doctors who prescribe copious amounts of benzodiazepines only to later turn the patient away after addiction has crippled them.
​

Harvard Article Claims Benzodiazepine use may raise risk of Alzheimer’s disease

​

“Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.” ― Steven Wright

​

Anti-Epileptics

topiramate, topamax, zonisamide, zonegran, levetiracetam, keppra, pregabalin, lyrica, clonazepam, klonopin, rufinamide, banzel, vigabatrin, sabril, phenytoin, dilantin, oxcarbazepine, trileptal, carbamazepine, tegretol, lamotrigine, lamictal, lacosamide, vimpat, valproic acid, depakote, phenobarbital, gabapentin, neurontin
Drug Class
Anti-seizure medications are commonly used for mood disorders and even anxiety in addition to epilepsy.
What Do They Do?
Epilepsy is caused by excessive hyperexcitability of the nervous system therefore, medications in this class are geared toward minimizing excitability. This drug class actually encompasses three different major classes

1. Blocking Sodium Channels
2. Enhancement of GABA Inhibition
3. Regulation of Synaptic Releases

Why it Impacts Memory
Overall, anticonvulsants work in different ways; trust me I rode the magic school for HOURS trying to gain an understanding of them to write this. Truthfully, we still have a lot to learn about them. Their impact is complicated and the effects range based on the dose and drug.
For instance, Topamax has pretty diverse pharmacologic actions, because of that, it has been linked with impaired concentration, cognitive dulling, psychomotor retardation, language and comprehension difficulties, rather extreme effects on short-term memory and working memory, poor verbal fluency and word-finding, reduced IQ scores, abnormal thinking and delayed cognitive speed. Because of this dark cloud of side effects, Topamax is sometimes referred to as 'Dope-A-Max'.
However, a more selective medication within the drug class such as Phenytoin or Tegretol are more specific to blocking sodium channels. Overall, they seem to have less impact on memory and cognitive function.
Many of these drugs listed above have an impact on GABA, and long term exposure to GABA agents can alter the functionality of GABA permanently, which means there are potentially permanent consequences to cognition, behaviors, and memory.
Phenobarbital has been linked to lower IQ, and worse effects than Depakote and Tegretol, however it is actually a barbituate. It’s effects are similar to benzodiazepines which you can read more about above.
Gabapentin, used for seizures and often mood disorders, belongs to it's own drug class. Still, it has been linked to memory impairment. Hence, the name, it also impacts GABA, which as mentioned several times now, certainly plays a hand in our ability to remember. At this point there isn’t enough research to say it’s linked to dementia though.
As far as drugs for epilepsy, Gabapentin is tolerated much better than many others. It’s also worth mentioning that this drug seems to have more short term effects on memory. Some will experience a disorienting feeling or short term memory loss while taking Gabapentin, but the reports of long term memory being impacted are reported less often.
Long Term Effects of Gabapentin
​
​

Antipsychotics

sometimes referred to as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics; risperidone, risperdal, quetiapine, seroquel, olanzapine, zyprexa, ziprasidone, zeldox, paliperidone, invega, aripiprazole, abilify, clozapine, clozaril, fluphenazine
Drug Class
Commonly used as the first line treatment for schizophrenia & sometimes used for mood disorders, depression, personality disorders, Tourette's syndrome & Huntington's disease
What Do They Do?
Most drugs in this class work to block Dopamine, though some do impact other chemicals in the brain.
Did You Know?
Oddly enough, memory seems to actually be improved when using an antipsychotic for a person with psychotic symptoms, though there are many that take medications within this class that are not psychotic. So let's talk about that more.
Why It Impacts Memory
First, let's skip back to the purpose of these drugs. Schizophrenia is the major psychotic disorder we use antipsychotics for. Some of the main symptoms are delusions, lack of motivation, unusual behaviors, and hallucinations. Dopamine has been thought to regulate our brains understanding of our surroundings and what it all means to us. So, it's to be expected that drugs within this class target Dopamine.
This class is broken up into two categories;
First Generation (old, typical): Block Dopamine-2 Receptors, which means they also block acetylcholine, histamine and norepinephrine. which do impact the complex way in which we store memories. *More movement disorders come with the old ones.
Second Generation: (new, atypical): Block Serotonin and Dopamine Receptors. Less risk of extra movements, increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
What do they all have in common? They impact Dopamine. Long story short; A delicate balance of Dopamine is needed for memory to function. Since this class targets Dopamine, it's fair to say it has the potential to alter our memory. Whether that's a good or bad thing is specific to the patient, but it's typically an unwelcome effect.
​

Antihistamines

brompheniramine, dimetane, benadryl, diphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clistin, clemastine, tavist, doxylamine, unisom, hydroxyzine, atarax, vistaril, promethazine, phenergan, triprolidine, triafed
Drug Class
Commonly used for allergies but also used for anxiety. Antihistamines are divided into different 'generations' & target different histamine receptors in our body.

• H1 Receptors: Found Throughout the Body
• H2 Receptors: Mostly Stomach Acid Secretion
• H3 Receptors: Central Nervous System
• H4 Receptors: Still Being Researched

What Do They Do?
We're actually still learning a lot about histamines but what we do know is that anti-histamines are usually anticholinergic; blocking receptors for choline. The problem is that we need choline to be readily available to have the ability to learn, understand and remember.

Why it Impacts Memory?

Being that antihistamines are often anticholinergic, they do impair our ability to think, learn and remember. Especially the first generation antihistamines that easily penetrate our brain. We already naturally produce less acetylcholine overtime. This is partly why as we age our ability to remember, think, and learn diminishes. It's widely known that anticholinergics impact memory, thinking, learning, and muscle function. It is also suggested that these drugs increase the risk of developing dementia.
Did you know?
The only drug within this class that can be given intravenously is Benadryl. Since Benadryl is a first generation, it impacts our body in many ways in addition to the reason why it's administered. Since first generation antihistamines are much less specific in their effects, they are affiliated with greater memory impairment. Though, being the only IV antihistamine available, it is still widely used in hospital settings.

Summary

Overall, the effects range. Regarding mental health specifically; Vistaril, hydroxyzine and Atarax are commonly prescribed for anxiety. While your risks are much less severe than benzodiazepines, these are FIRST generation antihistamines. Therefore, they do have a sedating effect (precisely why they can relieve tension) but this is also means they do impair our ability to remember.
An example of second generation antihistamines are Claritin & Zyrtec. Unlike first generation antihistamines, these do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily. Therefore, they relieve many effects of allergies, but do not have as many sedating properties or memory impairments associated with them. When it comes to anxiety though, Claritin & Zyrtec won't do you much good.
Hope this helps clarify some of the impacts of memory and mental health medications. Leave a comment if there is a drug you're still wondering about.
​
Here is the link again for original post below.
https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/

Memory loss is a common topic within the mental health world. I'm an RN that works in Mental Health & going to do my best to summarize some research on which mental health medications impact our memory and why they do.
Memory refers to the mechanisms that are used to collect, accumulate, preserve, and later retrieve information. There are three actions involved in 'memory': processing, storing, and recalling.

I will Include the link to the original post that is probably easier to follow but also going to include all the info below.

https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/
​
​

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs

citalopram, celexa, escitalopram, lexapro, fluoxetine, prozac, sarafem, symbyax, fluvoxamine, luvox, luvox CR, paroxetine, paxil, paxil CR, pexeva, sertraline, zoloft, vilazodone, viibryd

Drug class

This is a very common drug class; prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, migraines, panic attacks, eating disorders, PTSD, OCD, and even chronic pain. Over 10% of the US takes an SSRI.

What Do SSRIs Do?

What does every medication within this class have in common? They all increase the level of Serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. When you take a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, you’re blocking the neurons from reabsorbing Serotonin, meaning there is more Serotonin available.
So what does Serotonin do? Well, A LOT. Serotonin influences our mood and emotional state, our digestion, appetite, our sleep cycle. It is found in your brain, in your intestines and even in your blood. One could argue that it impacts everything.
Did You Know?
Serotonin is even in animals, plants and fungus. While we can measure the levels in our blood we cannot measure the levels within our brain. Meaning we’re all in the dark as to how much is within our brain and whether or not it’s even correlated to the amount in our blood.
How SSRIs Impact Memory
Age and gender do not seem to influence the data that SSRIs are correlated with memory effects. Something that is important to mention, is that while research has shown that SSRIs are correlated with memory loss, that doesn’t exactly mean that they CAUSE it. Correlation and cause are two different things. Many people that take SSRIs also take benzodiazepines, drink, smoke, have genetic predisposition to memory loss, etc. Depression and anxiety themselves can even cause memory problems.
Summary
So, after reading through many articles, there overall wasn’t enough credible information to emphatically say that an SSRI causes memory loss. In fact, I came across more research that suggested SSRIs improve cognitive performance and memory. Some data also specifically supported that SSRI’s can improve memory for patients experiencing psychosis and depression.
​
​

Tricyclic Antidepressant TCAs

anafranil, clomipramine, asendin, amoxapine, elavil, amitriptyline, norpramin, desipramine, pamelor, nortriptyline, sinequan, doxepin, surmontil, trimipramine, tofranil, imipramine, vivactil, protiptyline
Drug Class
The word “tricyclic” refers to the three molecular ring shapes associated with this drug class. These existed before SSRIs, but they seem to cause more side effects. This has led to SSRIs being more commonly prescribed nowadays. TCAs are still often administered for things like anxiety, depression, migraines, panic disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, hormone disorders, bedwetting, and even nerve pain.
What do Tricyclic Antidepressants Do?
What do all TCAs have in common? Similar to an SSRI, tricyclic antidepressants impact neurotransmitters. But, in addition to serotonin, they also block the reabsorption of norepinephrine. They ALSO block acetylcholine receptors. These key differences create a cascade of effects in the body that do impact memory. These key differences are also the culprit for the common side effects in this drug class like dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
Did You Know?
In 1945, the Sulphur bridge of the phenothiazine ring of promethazine was altered to synthesize G22355 ( a weak antihistamine and mild anticholinergic with sedative properties). The new 'invention' was tested as an antipsychotic. It was ineffective for schizophrenia, but did have antidepressant properties. Thus, the first clinically useful tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) was discovered.
How TCAs Impact Memory
There are multiple reasons why a TCA impacts our memory. The first reason is that we retain memory best when norepinephrine is released at an optimal rate. These drugs block the reabsorption of norepinephrine; which is known to be a moderator of memory. With too much of it, we are anxious and stressed, too little of it and we are drowsy and not as coherent. Either way, the drug has an impact on norepinephrine which directly influences how we store memory.
The second reason why this drug class impacts memory is because it competes with our natural antagonists on muscarinic, and histaminergic receptors. It is well documented that these drugs block muscarinic receptors (which is an acetylcholine receptor), and acetylcholine directly impacts learning and memory.

“Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampus and cortex underlie memory formation”

Summary
So, TCAs are a drug that research has linked with memory impairments and dementia. These drugs interfere with our bodies baseline of norepinephrine and acetylcholine. As with any drug; sometimes they create an optimal effect on a person, as for others, not so much. If a person is too excitable and anxious, a TCA can improve their quality of life (even could improve memory if their extreme anxiety was impairing it), while for another it can make them drowsy and leave a bad impression.
*Note each drug within the class impacts the degree of these effects a little differently.
If you’re feeling like doing a deep dive into some of the articles I read to gain clarity, by all means, click the links below!
Differential Cognitive Actions of Norepinephrine α2 and α1 Receptor Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex
The effect of tricyclic antidepressants on cholinergic responses of single cortical neurones.
A brief history of antidepressant drug development: from tricyclics to beyond ketamine

Benzodiazepines

alprazolam, xanax, chlordiazepoxide, librium, clonazepam, klonopin, clorazepate, tranxene, diazepam, valium, lorazepam, ativan, oxazepam, serax, temazepam, restoril, triazolam, halcion
Drug Class
These are commonly considered anti-anxiety medication (though can be used for seizures, insomnia, and muscle spasms). They work by quickly slowing down important parts of our brain.
​
Let’s taco ‘bout it.
This drug class specifically targets the GABA-A receptor, enhancing its effect, which slows down our central nervous system; this makes us feel relaxed, because the drug has retarted a major gear in our system (sometimes this is EXACTLY what we need).
Did You Know?
Anesthesiologists often give Versed (a benzodiazepine) so patients will not remember surgery?
How Benzodiazepines Impact Memory
This drug class changes our mental state & while the drug is advantageously quick acting, the effects linger. Short-term memory is not as affected, but long-term memory is specifically impaired. The memory loss may occur because events are not transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory and thus not consolidated into memory storage. The effects are similar to the long-term effects of alcoholism (alcohol is also a CNS depressant). Both of these substances, used long term actually damage our brain.
This is why a rehab center isn’t going to allow the use of 'said drug' while ‘recovering’. This is why therapists often (but not always) stray away from patients taking 'said drug' while trying to work on trauma, recovery, etc. If the brain is not functioning & you're not able to remember anything, how can you work on it? The most effective aspects of benzodiazepines are precisely why individuals have a tendency to become dependent on them.
Now, don't shoot the messenger. Obviously, there is a time and a place for benzodiazepines. They're an actual life saver for the (hopefully) occasional panic attack. But how sadistic is that Benzodiazepines have addictive properties, which means that with repeated use we will need increasingly higher doses, making the dent in your memory more and more indisputable.
Full Disclosure
My mother was an addict, benzodiazepines being her drug of choice.
Do you know an addict whose drug of choice is a benzodiazepine? No SHAME, but if so, you can probably attest that they don’t remember shit.
How about an addict whose drug of choice is alcohol? All love here, but you can say for certain, they don’t remember shit.
There has even been a fair amount of data to support that the risk of Alzheimer’s is elevated in those taking the drug for over 6 months. One Harvard study even speculated that it would raise the risk by 84%! Seems unrealistic, but who am I to question Harvard; I'll add the link below if you're also feeling speculative.
Another point of concern is that this drug will inhibit your brain from initiating activity of GABA A (since the medication has so kindly been doing it). What this means is that after the drug is long gone from your system, your brain experiences a lag in restoring the normal GABA balance.
This is often what is referred to as “rebound anxiety” because your anxiety is likely to get worse, before it gets better after taking a benzodiazepine, especially if taken long term.
Take it from a nurse who works in mental health; it's not enjoyable being the bystander of a patient trying to escape their benzo addiction.
But this is why the mental health world is increasingly trying to move towards low dosing and only prescribing for a limited amount of time.
Now, Benzodiazepines are very dangerous to quit cold turkey, so please don’t go flush yours down the toilet after reading this.
When Benzodiazepines were first discovered they offered an immediate solution to the overwhelming crippling anxiety that many people face, but the harsh reality is that we’re now in a benzo addiction crisis. We’re learning over time, as a society and those changes don’t happen overnight. And trust me, as a mental health professional I myself occasionally grow infuriated at the amount of family doctors who prescribe copious amounts of benzodiazepines only to later turn the patient away after addiction has crippled them.
​

Harvard Article Claims Benzodiazepine use may raise risk of Alzheimer’s disease

​

“Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.” ― Steven Wright

​

Anti-Epileptics

topiramate, topamax, zonisamide, zonegran, levetiracetam, keppra, pregabalin, lyrica, clonazepam, klonopin, rufinamide, banzel, vigabatrin, sabril, phenytoin, dilantin, oxcarbazepine, trileptal, carbamazepine, tegretol, lamotrigine, lamictal, lacosamide, vimpat, valproic acid, depakote, phenobarbital, gabapentin, neurontin
Drug Class
Anti-seizure medications are commonly used for mood disorders and even anxiety in addition to epilepsy.
What Do They Do?
Epilepsy is caused by excessive hyperexcitability of the nervous system therefore, medications in this class are geared toward minimizing excitability. This drug class actually encompasses three different major classes

1. Blocking Sodium Channels
2. Enhancement of GABA Inhibition
3. Regulation of Synaptic Releases

Why it Impacts Memory
Overall, anticonvulsants work in different ways; trust me I rode the magic school for HOURS trying to gain an understanding of them to write this. Truthfully, we still have a lot to learn about them. Their impact is complicated and the effects range based on the dose and drug.
For instance, Topamax has pretty diverse pharmacologic actions, because of that, it has been linked with impaired concentration, cognitive dulling, psychomotor retardation, language and comprehension difficulties, rather extreme effects on short-term memory and working memory, poor verbal fluency and word-finding, reduced IQ scores, abnormal thinking and delayed cognitive speed. Because of this dark cloud of side effects, Topamax is sometimes referred to as 'Dope-A-Max'.
However, a more selective medication within the drug class such as Phenytoin or Tegretol are more specific to blocking sodium channels. Overall, they seem to have less impact on memory and cognitive function.
Many of these drugs listed above have an impact on GABA, and long term exposure to GABA agents can alter the functionality of GABA permanently, which means there are potentially permanent consequences to cognition, behaviors, and memory.
Phenobarbital has been linked to lower IQ, and worse effects than Depakote and Tegretol, however it is actually a barbituate. It’s effects are similar to benzodiazepines which you can read more about above.
Gabapentin, used for seizures and often mood disorders, belongs to it's own drug class. Still, it has been linked to memory impairment. Hence, the name, it also impacts GABA, which as mentioned several times now, certainly plays a hand in our ability to remember. At this point there isn’t enough research to say it’s linked to dementia though.
As far as drugs for epilepsy, Gabapentin is tolerated much better than many others. It’s also worth mentioning that this drug seems to have more short term effects on memory. Some will experience a disorienting feeling or short term memory loss while taking Gabapentin, but the reports of long term memory being impacted are reported less often.
Long Term Effects of Gabapentin
​
​

Antipsychotics

sometimes referred to as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics; risperidone, risperdal, quetiapine, seroquel, olanzapine, zyprexa, ziprasidone, zeldox, paliperidone, invega, aripiprazole, abilify, clozapine, clozaril, fluphenazine
Drug Class
Commonly used as the first line treatment for schizophrenia & sometimes used for mood disorders, depression, personality disorders, Tourette's syndrome & Huntington's disease
What Do They Do?
Most drugs in this class work to block Dopamine, though some do impact other chemicals in the brain.
Did You Know?
Oddly enough, memory seems to actually be improved when using an antipsychotic for a person with psychotic symptoms, though there are many that take medications within this class that are not psychotic. So let's talk about that more.
Why It Impacts Memory
First, let's skip back to the purpose of these drugs. Schizophrenia is the major psychotic disorder we use antipsychotics for. Some of the main symptoms are delusions, lack of motivation, unusual behaviors, and hallucinations. Dopamine has been thought to regulate our brains understanding of our surroundings and what it all means to us. So, it's to be expected that drugs within this class target Dopamine.
This class is broken up into two categories;
First Generation (old, typical): Block Dopamine-2 Receptors, which means they also block acetylcholine, histamine and norepinephrine. which do impact the complex way in which we store memories. *More movement disorders come with the old ones.
Second Generation: (new, atypical): Block Serotonin and Dopamine Receptors. Less risk of extra movements, increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
What do they all have in common? They impact Dopamine. Long story short; A delicate balance of Dopamine is needed for memory to function. Since this class targets Dopamine, it's fair to say it has the potential to alter our memory. Whether that's a good or bad thing is specific to the patient, but it's typically an unwelcome effect.
​

Antihistamines

brompheniramine, dimetane, benadryl, diphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clistin, clemastine, tavist, doxylamine, unisom, hydroxyzine, atarax, vistaril, promethazine, phenergan, triprolidine, triafed
Drug Class
Commonly used for allergies but also used for anxiety. Antihistamines are divided into different 'generations' & target different histamine receptors in our body.

• H1 Receptors: Found Throughout the Body
• H2 Receptors: Mostly Stomach Acid Secretion
• H3 Receptors: Central Nervous System
• H4 Receptors: Still Being Researched

What Do They Do?
We're actually still learning a lot about histamines but what we do know is that anti-histamines are usually anticholinergic; blocking receptors for choline. The problem is that we need choline to be readily available to have the ability to learn, understand and remember.

Why it Impacts Memory?

Being that antihistamines are often anticholinergic, they do impair our ability to think, learn and remember. Especially the first generation antihistamines that easily penetrate our brain. We already naturally produce less acetylcholine overtime. This is partly why as we age our ability to remember, think, and learn diminishes. It's widely known that anticholinergics impact memory, thinking, learning, and muscle function. It is also suggested that these drugs increase the risk of developing dementia.
Did you know?
The only drug within this class that can be given intravenously is Benadryl. Since Benadryl is a first generation, it impacts our body in many ways in addition to the reason why it's administered. Since first generation antihistamines are much less specific in their effects, they are affiliated with greater memory impairment. Though, being the only IV antihistamine available, it is still widely used in hospital settings.

Summary

Overall, the effects range. Regarding mental health specifically; Vistaril, hydroxyzine and Atarax are commonly prescribed for anxiety. While your risks are much less severe than benzodiazepines, these are FIRST generation antihistamines. Therefore, they do have a sedating effect (precisely why they can relieve tension) but this is also means they do impair our ability to remember.
An example of second generation antihistamines are Claritin & Zyrtec. Unlike first generation antihistamines, these do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily. Therefore, they relieve many effects of allergies, but do not have as many sedating properties or memory impairments associated with them. When it comes to anxiety though, Claritin & Zyrtec won't do you much good.
Hope this helps clarify some of the impacts of memory and mental health medications. Leave a comment if there is a drug you're still wondering about.
​
Here is the link again for original post below.
https://twoforsue.com/our-memory-is-threatened-by-these-6/

I’m going on 20 years of chronic daily headache which turn into migraines a few times a month. Currently each migraine attack lasts 2-4 days, not including prodome and the hangover afterwards. Like many of us, I’ve tried just about every thing. I’ve failed pretty much every med on the market. I’ve even stumped one of the head neurologists at the Mayo Clinic.
I currently take: - Qulipta (The second month was a really good month, but now at month four I seem to be back to my normal) - Botox - I’m not sure how much it helps but it at least guarantees me a face to face apt with my neurologist every three months - daily vitamins (B2, magnesium, D3) - rescue meds (fiorcet, klonopin, frovatriptan, promethazine, trazadone)
Anyway, I need a next step. I’m losing hope in Qulipta (pus I think I’m also about to lose my free supply and be charged through insurance).
I was thinking of circling back to Topamax. At the time I took it, I was getting migraines MUCH less frequently. It helped a little but the side effects didn’t make it worthwhile.
Any thoughts/advice are appreciated!

I’m a 26 year old male, 5’11”, and 190 pounds. Not too long ago I started to feel dizzy, not like the room is spinning but more like I’m on a boat or a waterbed. I brought it up to my doctor and they say it’s vertigo and gave me 25-50 mg of Meclazine as needed and Promethazine 25mg as needed if it gets really bad. I do have SVT but I’ve had that since I was 15-16 years old. I also have PTSD and GAD and take Klonopin 1mg 3x a day. From what I have asked family and other doctors vertigo shouldn’t be constant. It’s affecting me from the time I wake up until I go to bed. It’s making driving or riding in a car nearly impossible. I’m open to any advice. Thank you in advance!!

Yeah so the paperwork I filled out doesn’t include anything like legal jargon or basic protection for his practice. By the end of my story I would like to see how many people think this is malicious incompetence.

1. Psychiatrist and facility staff collaborated in regards to medication interaction safety. I wasn’t briefed on the medications that I’d be getting through iv. I double checked and asked if they will be prescribing any type of anxiety meds pre op. Front office person said no, I’d only get meds after procedure and I could take my klonopin before surgery.
   
2. I woke up twice during surgery extraction of bottom molars. Despite lifting my iv arm to inform them that I feel everything, they kept going. I remember every slice in my gum, tug, snap, and giggle. Yes. I told them repeatedly to stop and they told me to calm down. After I was placed in wheelchair I told the surgeon’s assistant that I felt everything and I was in pain. She said that the pain meds would help.
   
3. He prescribed me 21 percocets, promethazine and antibiotic. There were no post on directions except for some ice pack sheet from a form generator. The surgery was 11 days ago and they never called for a follow up.
   

I have talked to the surgeon about the experience and he said he was sorry that I wasn’t wowed about that surgical work. I told him I was traumatized and I had a psychological episode. He says he’s sorry about the pain but the surgery went great. There is more stuff if you need more details.

**Subject:** BUY OXYCODONE, ACTAVIS, OPANA, XANAX, DILUADID, PERCOCET, RITALIN, HYDROCODONE +1(747) 248-4024 We are best Reliable and suppliers of Pharmaceutical medications for depression,Panic attack,insomnia etc. ((Pain killers, anxiety medications)) and other chemical research products with and without prescription worldwide. Our shipping and delivery is 100% safe,fast and convenient. We are ready to sell small and large quantities supplies of our product with or without prescription ???WORLDWIDE DELIVERY???. Buy Pain killers & Anxiety Medications with and without prescriptions- Lemon Quaaludes 714, Xanax, Percocet, Oxycodone, Oxycotin, Valium, Opana etc.?????? Dr. Pheregamo Morgan Text or Call: +1(747) 248-4024 Wickrme: connected4200 Email : onlinepharmacy322@gmail.com Below is a list of some of our product available in stock ; Anabolic Steroids Actavis Promethazine With Codein purple cough syrup. Lemon Quaaludes 714 (Methaqualone Quaaludes-Mandrax) MDMA, Medical Marijuana Percocet Cocaine BENZOS Ultram/Ultracet Dangers & Addiction Xanax 1 mg Upjohan footbals XANAX 1 mg (blue Ksalol) Xanax SR 2 mg (brand Upjohn) Xanax 2 mg (Pfizer LongBars) Valium 10 mg AMBIEN Lorazepam 2.5 mg (Ativan) Clonazepam 2 mg (Rivotril) Nitrazeoam 5 mg (Nipam) Bromazepam 6 mg (Lexotan) Percocet Phentermine Adderall Codeine 30/500mg Cialis Demerol (meperidine hcl) caps Diazepam Dilaudid Soma -generic Ketalar injection Ketamine Ritalin Vicodin Opana Hydrocodone 10mg/500mg Roxicodone 30mg Clonazepam (klonopin) Viagra Testosterone Methylene Fentanyl patches Oxycontin Methadone Seconal (chemical name-secobarbital) Oxycodone Vailum Suboxone Subutex Meth Crystal Nembutal......etc We have some other drugs not mention on the list so you can ask if you cant find it here ,If you are in the USA or Canada you can still Call,Text: +1(747) 248-4024 .If your not from USA or Canada you can Email at:onlinepharmacy322@gmail.com Our services... \--We offer: \-SUPER QUALITY PHARMACY GRADE MEDICINES. \-No prescription required \-Express prior overnight or next day delivery \-Packing is highly discreet sealed, wrapped with an aluminum foil, safe and secure \-No signature required upon arrival of parcel \-Money back guarantee \-I offer door to door delivery services \-Excellent and unbeatable prices. \-Good quality Meds. \-Buy Direct and Save Time and Money! \-100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed ! \-OFFERS RESHIPMENT AND REFUNDS WITHIN 3 WORKING DAYS IF PACKAGES DO NOT REACH THE DESTINATION \-DISCREET AND STEALTH DELIVERY - (TRACKING AVAILABLE). \-We offer a FULL REFUND on any package that doesn't make it to its destination. Overnight shipping within USA, to Australia, Canada,UK, Germany, Sweden, EUROPE.etc..I’m the definition of TRUE business ( LOYALTY,HONESTY, TRUST, RESPECT-and UNDERSTANDING . You get the best for less! ( I shall make you offers ,you won't get anywhere else ). Do business with me for SAFETY, LEGITIMACY and DISCREET My clients are to me like FAMILY! So i treat them like ROYALTY. Don't hesitate to contact and place your order through text or email as they say ( TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE ) .. It Will be my pleasure to do business with you.. Vending Of Pharmacy Grade Medications Online With Or Without Prescription At Affordable And Discount Prices. We Now Do Offer Secure Packaging And Stealth Shipping To Buyers. Where To Buy Painkillers, Stimulants And Anti-Anxiety Pills Without Prescription Online? Like Oxycodone For Sale Vyvanse For Sale - Adderall For Sale - Xanax For Sale Contact us Securely through the details below: Dr. Pheregamo Morgan Text or Call: +1(747) 248-4024 Wickrme: connected4200 Email : onlinepharmacy322@gmail.com You're satisfaction and guarantee is my main priority.