What are the side effects of these medications?

Ketoconazole (Nizoral): the most common side effect is nausea and abnormalities in liver function. Before this medication is taken, a blood test should be measured to make sure there are no liver abnormalities. If the patient develops fatigue or jaundice, liver tests should be measured again and the medication stopped. Other side effects include vomiting, abdominal pain and itching. Metyrapone (Metopirone): nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If these block adrenal gland cortisol production completely, adrenal insufficiency occurs. Dexamethasone (a synthetic cortisol drug) is often given (in a small dose) to protect against developing adrenal insufficiency or the dose can be reduced. A morning blood cortisol level is helpful to determine if the dose is too high. A 24 hour urine cortisol measurement is the best test to determine the effectiveness of medical treatment. If the urine cortisol level remains elevated, the dose of medication may need to be increased. I had surgery for Cushing's, ...  more

All dopamine agonists have similar side effects. However, some drugs may cause mild or no side effects in patients who may have side effects from other similar drugs. Bromocriptine (Parlodel): nausea, vomiting, dizziness (especially with standing up quickly), headache, nasal stuffiness, constipation. Side effects are minimized by always taking the medication with food. Pergolide (Permax): nausea, vomiting, dizziness (especially with standing up quickly) ,headache, nasal stuffiness, constipation. Side effects are minimized by always taking the medication with food. Liver function tests need to be checked in the blood as some patients may develop an abnormality. Cabergoline (Dostinex): occasional nausea, vomiting, dizziness (especially with standing up quickly) ; fewer or less noticeable side effects than bromocriptine or pergolide. Sandostatin LAR, lanreotide: when beginning treatment: loose stools, light-colored stools, occasional diarrhea and abdominal cramping. This side effect ...  more

In general, most people seem to tolerate the medications very well. The most common side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Less common side effects include insomnia, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Side effects tend to be mild and usually go away within a few weeks after starting treatment with the medication. Common side effects of memantine are mild and include dizziness, confusion, headache, and constipation. Memantine should not be used by people who have kidney problems. Tranquilizers can sometimes cause drowsiness. Close monitoring and regular reevaluation of the severity of Alzheimer''s symptoms are very important during treatment with medication. As the disease progresses and symptoms change, your medication needs often change.  more

Side effects of medications used to treat ADHD are usually mild and temporary, lasting only a few weeks. The most common side effects of stimulants are decreased appetite, difficulty falling asleep, stomachache, and headache. When the dose is lowered, these side effects usually fade quickly. Although short-term studies have shown that stimulant medications are safe, long-term effects have not been studied. In a recent 2-year study, children who took stimulant medication grew almost 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) per year slower than those children not on medication. The study followed 540 youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were ages 7 to 9 at the start of the study. More studies are needed to determine whether growth is affected at other ages (younger than age 7, older than age 9) and whether children taking these medications might catch up over a period of time.

Side effects are common with antipsychotic drugs. Ask your mental health professional about the side effects of the medications you are taking. It is important to talk with your mental health professional about the side effects of any medications you are taking.

Some of the commonly noted side effects of antipsychotics are sedation, weight gain, dizziness, seizures, an inability to sit still, and hormone elevations that can cause sexual dysfunction and interfere with menstrual functioning. Blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth and rapid heartbeat also have been known to occur. Conventional antipsychotics such as haloperidol (Haldol) can cause motor stiffness or twisting as well as tardive dyskinesia, a writhing and disfiguring movement disorder involving the face and head as well as other body parts. Its yearly incidence is about 1% for the severe type and 3% for milder types, and it can be irreversible. The newer antipsychotics such as risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel) and clozapine (Clozaril) cause much less motor stiffness and twisting movements and, most likely, less tardive dyskinesia.  more

Ketoconazole (Nizoral): the most common side effect is nausea and abnormalities in liver function. Before this medication is taken, a blood test should be measured to make sure there are no liver abnormalities. If the patient develops fatigue or jaundice, liver tests should be measured again and the medication stopped. Other side effects include vomiting, abdominal pain and itching. Metyrapone (Metopirone): nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. If these block adrenal gland cortisol production completely, adrenal insufficiency occurs. Dexamethasone (a synthetic cortisol drug) is often given (in a small dose) to protect against developing adrenal insufficiency or the dose can be reduced. A morning blood cortisol level is helpful to determine if the dose is too high. A 24 hour urine cortisol measurement is the best test to determine the effectiveness of medical treatment. If the urine cortisol level remains elevated, the dose of medication may need to be increased. 3.  more

Ketoconazole (Nizoral): the most common side effect is nausea and abnormalities in liver function. Before this medication is taken, a blood test should be measured to make sure there are no liver abnormalities. If the patient develops fatigue or jaundice, liver tests should be measured again and the medication stopped. Other side effects include vomiting, abdominal pain and itching. Metyrapone (Metopirone): nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If these block adrenal gland cortisol production completely, adrenal insufficiency occurs. Dexamethasone (a synthetic cortisol drug) is often given (in a small dose) to protect against developing adrenal insufficiency or the dose can be reduced. A morning blood cortisol level is helpful to determine if the dose is too high. A 24 hour urine cortisol measurement is the best test to determine the effectiveness of medical treatment. If the urine cortisol level remains elevated, the dose of medication may need to be increased.  more

Bromocriptine: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, nasal stuffiness, constipation. Side effects are minimized by always taking the medication with food.  more

Side effects of medications used to treat ADHD are usually mild and temporary, lasting only a few weeks. The most common side effects of stimulants are decreased appetite, difficulty falling asleep, stomachache, and headache. When the dose is lowered, these side effects usually fade quickly. Although short-term studies have shown that stimulant medications are safe, long-term effects have not been studied. In a recent 2-year study, children who took stimulant medication grew almost 0.5 in. per year slower than those children not on medication. The study followed 540 youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were ages 7 to 9 at the start of the study. More studies are needed to determine whether growth is affected at other ages (younger than age 7, older than age 9) and whether children taking these medications might catch up over a period of time.  more