What are the side effects of these medications?
Side effects vary depending on the type of medication used to treat panic disorder. However, most side effects are mild, and many go away after the first few weeks of treatment. Common side effects include: • Sleepiness or trouble sleeping • Dry mouth • Constipation or diarrhea • Nausea • Weight gain or loss • Headache • Sweating • Sexual problems (delayed orgasm, erectile dysfunction) • Dependency (This can occur with the benzodiazepines.) Does everyone with panic disorder need to take medication? No. Some people are able to manage their disorder without medication. For most people, however, the best approach to treating panic disorder includes medication in combination with psychotherapy and/or cognitive-behavior therapy. Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) addresses the emotional response to mental illness. It is a process by which trained mental health professionals help people by talking through strategies for understanding and dealing with their disorder.
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 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 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.
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.
