Psychiatric Prescription Drugs Information
Side Effects and Dangers
Narconon research shows how psychiatric drugs tend to create an unreal perception of life
The Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program is a drug-free solution to overcoming addiction Narconon facilities do not use anti-depressant or any other drugs that are routinely prescribed at many other treatment facilities around the country and the world. Drugs that are commonly prescribed elsewhere (and some of which are abused illicitly) include the following, and many others:
| NON-Narconon Drug Addiction Treatment Commonly Prescribed Psychiatric Drugs |
|
| Anafranil | Parnate |
| Asendin | Paxil |
| Celexa | Prozac |
| Desyrel | Remeron |
| Effexor | Serzone |
| Elavil | Tofranil |
| Haldol | Trazodone |
| Luvox | Wellbutrin |
| Nardil | Zoloft |
These and many other drugs are commonly prescribed in treatment as a means of "treating" depression or "bi-polar" disorder.
The Narconon rehab methodology follows comprehensive research that has shown how such treatments are often rendered ineffective because of the effects, and the side-effects, of psychiatric anti-depressant drugs.
Side Effects Of Prescription Drugs Commonly Used In Non-Narconon Drug Addiction Treatment Programs
On this page, Narcon Arrowhead provides a list of common side-effects of the 15 most common anti-depressants used in addiction treatment.
It should be noted that the Narconon Program is a drug-free program that does not employ such drugs.
- Prozac®: fluoxetine - pronounced "floo-ox´eh-teen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Headache, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, poor concentration, abnormal dreams, agitation, convulsions, apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis
gastrointestinal:
Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite
skin:
Sweating, rash, pruritus, acne, alopecia, urticaria respiratory: Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea, bronchitis, asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia
respiratory:
Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea, bronchitis, asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia
cardiovascular:
Hot flashes, palpitations, angina pectoris, hemorrhage, hypertension, tachycardia, first-degree AV block, bradycardia, MI, thrombophlebitis
musculoskeletal:
Pain, arthritis, twitching
urinary:
Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, urine retention
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Visual changes, ear/eye pain, photophobia, tinnitus
systemic:
Asthenia, viral infection, fever, allergy, chills
- Celexa®: citalopram - pronounced "sigh-tal´oh-pram"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Headache, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, poor concentration, abnormal dreams, agitation, convulsions, apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis
gastrointestinal:
Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite
skin:
Sweating, rash, pruritus, acne, alopecia, urticaria
respiratory:
Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea, bronchitis, asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia
cardiovascular:
Hot flashes, palpitations, angina pectoris, hemorrhage, hypertension, tachycardia, first-degree AV block, bradycardia, MI, thrombophlebitis
musculoskeletal:
Pain, arthritis, twitching
urinary:
Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, urine retention
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Visual changes, ear/eye pain, photophobia, tinnitus
systemic:
Asthenia, viral infection, fever, allergy, chills
- Luvox®: Fluvoxamine - pronounced "flu-vox´a-meen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, convulsions, sleep disorders
gastrointestinal:
Nausea, anorexia, constipation, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, diarrhea
skin:
Rash, sweating
urinary:
Decreased libido
- Paxil®: Paroxetine - pronounced "par-ox´e-teen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Headache, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, abnormal dreams, agitation, apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis
gastrointestinal:
Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite
skin:
Sweating, rash
respiratory:
Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea
cardiovascular:
Vasodilation, postural hypotension, palpitations
musculoskeletal:
Pain, arthritis, myalgia, myopathy, myosthenia
urinary:
Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, abnormal ejaculation
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Visual changes
systemic:
Asthenia, fever
- Zoloft®: sertraline - pronounced "ser´tra-leen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Insomnia, agitation, somnolence, dizziness, headache, tremor, fatigue, paresthesia, twitching, confusion, ataxia, gait abnormality (elderly)
urinary:
Male sexual dysfunction, micturition disorder
gastrointestinal:
Diarrhea, nausea, constipation, anorexia, dry mouth, dyspepsia, vomiting, flatulence
cardiovascular:
Palpitations, chest pain
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Vision abnormalities
skin:
Increased sweating, rash, hot flashes
endocrine:
SIADH (elderly)
- Desyrel®: trazodone - pronounced "tray´zoe-done" (Desyrel Dividose, trazodone HCl)
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increase in psychiatric symptoms
gastrointestinal:
Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis
urinary:
Retention, acute renal failure, priapism
skin:
Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis
- Effexor®: venlafaxine - pronounced "ven-la-fax´een"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Emotional lability, vertigo, apathy, ataxia, CNS stimulation, euphoria, hallucinations, hostility, increased libido, hypertonia, hypotonia, psychosis
cardiovascular:
Migraine, angina pectoris, hypertension, extrasystoles, postural hypotension, syncope, thrombophlebitis
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Abnormal vision, ear pain, cataract, conjunctivitis, corneal lesions, dry eyes, otitis media, photophobia
gastrointestinal:
Dysphagia, eructation, colitis, gastritis, gingivitis, rectal hemorrhage, stomatitis, stomach and mouth ulceration
urinary:
Anorgasmia, dysuria, hematuria, metrorrhagia, vaginitis, impaired urination, albuminuria, amenorrhea, kidney calculus, cystitis, nocturia, breast and bladder pain, polyuria, uterine hemorrhage, vaginal hemorrhage, moniliasis
skin:
Ecchymosis, acne, alopecia, brittle nails, dry skin, photosensitivity
metabolism:
Peripheral edema, weight gain, diabetes mellitus, edema, glycosuria, hyperlipemia, hypokalemia
musculoskeletal:
Arthritis, bone pain, bursitis, myasthenia tenosynovitis
respiratory:
Bronchitis, dyspnea, asthma, chest congestion, epistaxis, hyperventilation, laryngitis
systemic:
Accidental injury, malaise, neck pain, enlarged abdomen, cyst, facial edema, hangover, hernia
- Serzone®: nefazodone - pronounced "ne-faz´o-done)
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Somnolence, dizziness, headache, insomnia
gastrointestinal:
Nausea, constipation, dry mouth
urinary:
Urinary frequency, retention, UTI
cardiovascular:
Postural hypotension
respiratory:
Pharyngitis, cough
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, abnormal vision
- Wellbutrin®: bupropion pronounced "byoo-proe´pee-on" (Wellbutrin SR®, Zyban® )
- side effects/adverse reactions:
central nervous system:
Headache, agitation, confusion, seizures, akathisia, delusions, insomnia, sedation, tremors
cardiovascular:
Dysrhythmias, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia, hypotension
gastrointestinal:
Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, increased appetite, constipation
urinary:
Impotence, frequency, retention
skin:
Rash, pruritus, sweating
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, auditory disturbance
- Tofranil®: imipramine - pronounced "im-ip´ra-meen" (Apo-Imipramine®, Imipramine HCl®, Impril®, Janimine®, Novo-Pramine®, SK-Pramine®, Tofranil®, Tofranil PM®, Tripramine® )
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia
central nervous system:
Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, paresthesia
gastrointestinal:
Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus; increased appetite; cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis
urinary:
Retention, acute renal failure
skin:
Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis
- Anafranil®: desipramine - pronounced "dess-ip´ra-meen" (Desipramine HCl®, Norpramin®, Pertofrane®, clomipramine pronounced "kloe-mip´ra-meen" )
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Agranulocytosis, neutropenia, pancytopenia
cardiovascular:
Hypotension, tachycardia, cardiac arrest
central nervous system:
Dizziness, tremors, mania, seizures, aggressiveness, EPS endocrine: galactorrhea, hyperprolactinmia
metabolism:
Hyponatremia
gastrointestinal:
Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, dyspepsia
urinary:
Delayed ejaculation, anorgasmy, retention
skin:
Diaphoresis, photosensitivity
- Asendin®: amoxapine - pronounced "a-mox´a-peen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia
central nervous system:
Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, paresthesia, impairment of sexual functioning
gastrointestinal:
Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis
urinary:
Retention, acute renal failure
skin:
Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis, ophthalmoplegia
- Elavil®: amitriptyline - pronounced "a-mee-trip´ti-leen" (Amitril®, Aamitriptylline HCI®, Apo-Amitriptyline®, Emitrip®, Endep®, Enovil®, Levate®, Meravil®, Novotriptyn®, Rolavil® )
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia
central nervous system:
Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, seizures
gastrointestinal:
Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis
urinary:
Retention
skin:
Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis, ophthalmoplegia
- Remeron®: mirtazapine - pronounced "mer-ta´za-peen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia
central nervous system:
Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, seizures
gastrointestinal:
Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis
urinary:
Retention, acute renal failure
skin:
Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis
- Parnate®: tranylcypromine - pronounced "tran-ill-sip´roe-meen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Anemia
central nervous system:
Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, hyperreflexia, mania, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain
gastrointestinal:
Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, weight gain
urinary:
Change in libido, urinary frequency
skin:
Rash, flushing, increased perspiration
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias, hypertensive crisis
ears, eyes, nose, & throat:
Blurred vision
endocrine:
SIADH-like syndrome
- Nardil®: phenelzine - pronounced "fen´el-zeen"
- side effects/adverse reactions:
blood:
Anemia
central nervous system:
Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, hyperreflexia, mania, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain
gastrointestinal:
Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, weight gain
urinary:
Change in libido, frequency
skin:
Rash, flushing, increased perspiration
cardiovascular:
Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias, hypertensive crisis ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision
endocrine:
SIADH-like syndrome