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Psychiatric Drugs

Psychiatric Prescription Drugs Information

Side Effects and Dangers

Narconon research shows that psychiatric drugs create an unreal perception of life

Narconon research shows that psychiatric drugs 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:

  • Anafranil 
  • Asendin 
  • Celexa 
  • Desyrel 
  • Effexor 
  • Elavil 
  • Haldol 
  • Luvox 
  • Nardil 
  • Parnate 
  • Paxil 
  • Prozac 
  • Remeron 
  • Serzone 
  • Tofranil 
  • Trazodone 
  • Wellbutrin 
  • Zoloft

and many others. These drugs are 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

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