Mirtazapine is commonly used in elderly patients with depression who are also suffering from insomnia. Mirtazapine is often chosen because it is much safer than benzodiazepines, “z-drugs”, and antipsychotics. The mechanisms of mirtazapine (podcast episode on the...
Lithium is one of the most complex medications one of your patients can be on. Between drug interactions, monitoring parameters, and managing bipolar disorder, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the complexity. Here are a few lithium clinical pearls I always think about...
Comparison Table of Oral Benzodiazepine Benzodiazepines or “benzos” are a class of psychoactive drugs that are used to treat insomnia and anxiety. While we want to discuss the differences amongst these agents, we must remember that when comparing oral benzodiazepines,...
Tapering benzodiazepines or any drug for that matter is a bit of an art. Sure we do have some evidence on these types of topics, but we can’t also schedule a taper schedule perfectly based upon a percentage of the dose. Dosage forms and the patients themselves...
Benzodiazepines are on the Beers criteria. They can have significant adverse effects like sedation, confusion, the risk for dependence, and increased fall risk. We like to avoid benzodiazepines if we can, but what if we do feel that it is necessary (i.e. hospice or...
There are dozens of medications that have anticholinergic activity or are considered an anticholinergic medication. While most of the agents are used for their antihistamine, sedative, or antidepressant activity, There are a few uses that are unique to individual...
