Latest news with #Zoloft
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
8 medications that should not be mixed with alcohol
We all have heard that alcohol should not be mixed with antibiotics. However, do you know that apart from antibiotics, there are many other medicines that do not mix with alcohol, even if you take them hours apart? Alcohol alters the effectiveness of medications while making their adverse reactions more severe. Here are eight types of medications that must never be consumed with alcohol. 1. Painkillers (Opioids and NSAIDs) You should never combine opioids with NSAIDs when taking pain medication that includes codeine, oxycodone, morphine, ibuprofen and naproxen. When opioids combine with alcohol, the breathing rate of patients decreases to dangerous levels which may result in death. Consuming NSAIDs with alcohol heightens the risk of stomach bleeding, along with ulcers. 2. Antidepressants and Anti-Anxiety Medicines SSRIs and benzodiazepines together with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications including Zoloft, Prozac, Valium and Xanax require alcohol-free use. Their deadly combination results in severe sleepiness and dizziness, together with confusion. This further aggravates depressive episodes, and the risk of overdose increases manifold. 3. Antibiotics Metronidazole (Flagyl) and tinidazole along with isoniazid, react negatively when combined with alcohol. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo The combination of these substances leads to nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing as well as heart-related problems. Avoid drinking alcohol throughout your antibiotic treatment period, (make sure you do not have it at any time during the course), and even several days after finishing the medication. 4. Blood Thinners The effectiveness of warfarin blood thinners becomes less stable or their use becomes riskier, when patients consume alcohol. These medications become less safe when alcohol consumption occurs, because it elevates the danger of bleeding complications while forming blood clots. Before taking blood thinners, you should consult with your doctor regarding alcohol consumption. 5. Antipsychotic Medications The consumption of alcohol remains prohibited for patients who take antipsychotic drugs, used to treat schizophrenia alongside Quetiapine/Seroquel. The combination of alcohol with these medications leads to severe side effects including dizziness and drowsiness, as well as concentration issues and heart-related complications and seizure risks. 6. Diabetes Medications Taking insulin or diabetes pills with alcohol consumption will lead to harmful blood sugar reductions. The inability to detect blood sugar symptoms such as dizziness or confusion due to alcohol, makes it more likely for patients to experience severe complications. 7. Seizure Medications The combination of epilepsy and seizure medications including phenytoin, gabapentin and clonazepam should never occur with alcohol consumption. Using these substances together leads to excessive sleepiness and dizziness, and abnormal behavior and higher seizure risks. 8. ADHD Medications Adderall and Ritalin along with other stimulant medications used for ADHD, interact negatively when consumed with alcohol. The combination of these substances produces heightened side effects which include dizziness and drowsiness together with heart complications and decreased concentration abilities. Why Mixing Alcohol and Medication is Risky Medicines undergo altered absorption or breakdown processes in the body due to alcohol consumption, which leads to reduced effectiveness or increased toxicity. The consumption of alcohol enhances medication side effects including drowsiness and dizziness while simultaneously inflicting severe damage to liver function and stomach health and heart systems and nervous system tissue. Certain dangerous drug interactions can even be fatal. Sources PubMed The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) WebMD Healthdirect Australia
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Tekashi 6ix9ine admits he stashed MDMA, cocaine in Florida mansion — but prosecutors say he's ‘turned a corner'
He took another rap. Jailbird rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine admitted Wednesday to violating the terms of his supervised release after a raid turned up MDMA and cocaine in his bedroom. But in exchange for the guilty plea, Manhattan federal prosecutors not only agreed to drop other drug and gun charges against the famously flamboyant musician, but also successfully asked for his sentencing be delayed so he could complete community service. Advertisement 'It seems the defendant has turned a corner,' Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Rebold told the judge about Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez. 'We believe that there's a value in allowing the defendant to head in the correct direction.' The 29-year-old face-tattooed and formerly rainbow-haired rapper appeared subdued, quiet and even depressed during the hearing. Advertisement 3 Tekashi6ix9ine admitted Wednesday he had cocaine and MDMA while under supervised release. Gregory P. Mango 3 The rapper's subdued appearance in Manhattan federal court contrasted with his wild past image. Rachman Hernandez, sporting a black hoodie and boxer braids in his undyed hair, told Judge Paul Engelmayer that he has been seeing a psychiatrist once a week for depression and PTSD. But he also copped to not taking his prescribed Zoloft, an antidepressant. Advertisement Engelmayer agreed to delay Hernandez's sentencing for the violation until Sept. 25, and warned that further lawbreaking shenanigans from the hiphop star over the next two months will carry severe consequences. 'The court would have the authority to impose a prison term of up to five years,' the judge said, noting the sentencing guidelines call for a less-harsh punishment. 'On each of these violations, the guidelines recommend a term of 3-9 months in prison.' 3 The troubled rapper's woes include an arrest in the Dominican Republic. Advertisement The supposed new leaf that Hernandez is turning could help put his troubled past behind him. Hernandez in 2019 infamously snitched against his former gang associates in the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. He pleaded guilty in the racketeering case and received a two-year prison sentence — but was let out in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic because of his asthma. The Bushwick, Brooklyn native didn't stay out of trouble, racking up a long trail of civil lawsuits, a brutal beating in a Florida gym bathroom, a domestic violence case in the Dominican Republic, among other woes. He was arrested in November 2024 after his probation officer complained that he had failed drug tests and was traveling without permission. Federal probation officers raided his home in March and found drugs stowed in his bathroom cabinet, leading to his latest court hearing. Hernandez, who has completed 260 hours of his mandated 300 hours of community service, pulled his hoodie over his head after the hearing. 'No comment,' the once-boisterous rapper said as he left court.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
FDA panel on the use of antidepressants during pregnancy is alarming experts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is turning its attention to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class of antidepressant drugs long criticized by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. On Monday morning, the FDA hosted a 10-person expert panel on the use during pregnancy of SSRIs, which include medications like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa), among others. Nine of the panel's 10 members were researchers, doctors or psychologists who have previously questioned the safety of SSRIs publicly or spoken out against antidepressant use in general. Over the course of the discussion, several panel members cited studies that lacked appropriate controls, physicians not involved with the panel said. In other words, there was no way to be certain on the basis of the studies whether the observed health problems were caused by SSRIs, the underlying mood disorder or some other factor. Other participants described study findings inaccurately or incompletely, said outside experts. For example, few panelists considered the risks of SSRI use relative to the risks associated with untreated depression, which also contributes to poor outcomes for children and mothers. In the U.S., suicide is a leading cause of maternal death in the first year of a baby's life. An FDA spokesperson said the panel was part of the agency's 'broader efforts to apply rigorous, evidence-based standards to ingredient safety and modernize regulatory oversight' and did not respond to further queries about the agency's potential next steps. But healthcare professionals expressed concern that the panel could ultimately prevent women from getting the care they need. 'I was surprised and disappointed by the amount of misinformation that was presented,' said Dr. Katie Unverferth, a reproductive psychiatrist and medical director of UCLA's Maternal Mental Health Program. 'When we look at the body of data ... we find that there are no consistent associations [of] SSRIs with cardiac defects, pulmonary hypertension or neurodevelopmental issues in offspring,' she said, naming some of the harms panelists attributed to the drugs. 'This misinformation just creates intrusive thoughts. It's not helpful.' The panel included just one specialist in maternal mood disorders — Dr. Kay Roussos-Ross, an obstetrician-gynecologist and director of the Perinatal Mood Disorders Program at the University of Florida College of Medicine — who argued that SSRIs are for most patients a safe treatment option for serious mental health disorders in pregnancy. 'Mental health disorders are no different than medical disorders,' said Roussos-Ross. 'I want to stress that treating mental illness in pregnancy is not a luxury. It's a necessity,' she said. 'We're not asking [pregnant] women to not take their anti-hypertensives and risk death to them or their baby. We're not asking women to stop their diabetes medications. We should not be withholding SSRIs as a possible treatment for women who need it.' The FDA did not respond to questions about how experts were selected for the panel. Participant Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring runs a private clinic that helps patients wean off psychiatric medication. Another panelist, Dr. Roger McFillin, is a prolific podcaster and a skeptic of germ theory, the belief — widely held as a fundamental truth in medicine since the 19th century — that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms. Panelist Dr. David Healy, a psychiatrist from Wales, made a number of confounding and misleading statements, insisting that 'mothers who are taking SSRIs in pregnancy have a 10-fold greater risk of having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome' (that figure describes the subject population of a single 2011 study, not the general public). Healy also stated that 'any drug that causes birth defects will cause autism spectrum disorder also,' a claim that has no basis in any scientific research. Dr. David Urato, chief of maternal and fetal medicine at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Mass., was the only panelist besides Roussos-Ross who cares directly for pregnant patients. He spoke forcefully on the potential harms the drugs pose to developing babies. 'Never before in human history have we chemically altered babies like this,' he said during the discussion. 'There is now more than enough evidence to support strong warnings from the FDA about how drugs disrupt fetal development and impact the moms.' Roussos-Ross argued that the increased risk of birth defects for babies exposed to SSRIs in pregnancy was statistically insignificant, and that children of mothers with untreated depression were more likely to have later behavioral problems than those of mothers who took medication for the disease. 'Having that [medication] not be available to women who need it would really be detrimental,' she said. At this, panel moderator Tracy Beth Høeg — a sports medicine doctor who is now a senior advisor for clinical sciences at the FDA — said, 'I'm going to do something unconventional. I'm sorry to play favorites, but Dr. Urato, I want you to weigh in now.' In response, Urato questioned the idea that depression can be alleviated with antidepressant medication at all. 'This idea about depression — [that it] can cause harm and therefore we treat [it] with these chemicals, and by getting the treatment we see improved outcomes — this is something we all would want. It's wishful thinking,' he said. 'But it's not actually what the data shows.' It was not clear to which data he was referring. In 2019, the most recent year for which data are available, one in every eight U.S. adults had a prescription for antidepressant medication. While the drugs don't work for all people with major depression, analyses of multiple studies have consistently found them to be significantly better than placebos at alleviating illness symptoms. The drugs have been a target of Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again movement, along with vaccines and food dyes. In his confirmation hearings and on podcast appearances, Kennedy has claimed — inaccurately — that the drugs are both linked to school shootings and harder to quit than heroin. There is no evidence for either claim. In February, President Trump placed Kennedy at the helm of the Make America Healthy Again Commission, a group tasked with, among other things, evaluating 'the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs.' Healthcare professionals expressed frustration with the FDA's approach. 'There is already so much shame and stigma that surrounds these illnesses. There is also a lot of shame and stigma around taking medication during pregnancy or the postpartum period,' said Paige Bellenbaum, a perinatal mental health therapist and adjunct professor of social work at Hunter College. 'We are taking a giant step backwards in so many ways. This will reinstill the fear that was there to begin with [and] will ultimately result in the loss of life.' Alexandre Bonnin, an associate professor of pathology at USC, has studied the effects of prenatal SSRI exposure on the developing fetal brain for years. The most recent large studies in the field haven't found a statistically significant association between SSRIs and fetal harm, he said. 'Our finding, at least at the basic science level, suggests that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy can be beneficial if the mom is under major stress, anxiety or depression, because the maternal stress actually itself has many negative effects on fetal brain development,' he said.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
This woman was prescribed antidepressants. She was in menopause and needed another drug.
Women are receiving incorrect treatment or delayed treatment because medical schools still don't provide enough training in menopause. Misinformation about estrogen therapy also contributes. Leslie Ann McDonald was so tired she often skipped lifting weights. She would drop her daughter at school and go back to bed. Her body ached. She struggled to sleep. Her brain felt foggy. Her doctor prescribed an antidepressant, even though the then 36-year-old insisted she wasn't depressed. She even went to therapy. It took 10 years to get a correct diagnosis: Perimenopause. The online personal trainer and coach needed hormone therapy. More than a third of women going through menopause or perimenopause are prescribed Zoloft, Prozac, Wellbutrin or other common antidepressants. Their use among women doubles during these years. More women's health experts now say the vast majority never needed them. The antidepressants treat their symptoms, rather than the cause, and could make things worse. 'I thought, 'I don't feel depressed, but I feel terrible,'' says McDonald, 46, an online fitness coach in the Philadelphia area. 'I was miserable and willing to try anything, even if I didn't think that's what I needed.' Women are receiving incorrect treatment or delayed treatment because medical schools still don't provide enough training in menopause. Misinformation about estrogen therapy also contributes. A new push by doctors and researchers last week on a Food and Drug Administration panel pushed the agency to remove what they say are outdated warnings on topical menopause treatments that contain estrogen. Now such medications contain a warning of the possibility of breast cancer, and that they aren't to be used to prevent cardiovascular disease or dementia, and that it increases the risk of strokes, blood clots and probable dementia. The FDA has yet to rule on the change, but proponents say this delay leads to more women missing needed treatment. 'These women aren't mentally unstable, they aren't depressed,' says Maryon Stewart, who conducted a survey of more than 1,000 women in the UK about their menopause experience. She also leads Femmar Corp, a company that pushes for lifestyle changes to help with menopause. 'It's tragic what women go through to try to feel better.' Beyond fertility and menopause: See why the ovary is central to women's health and longevity The push for better perimenopause treatment When women describe symptoms of perimenopause – including increased anxiety, fatigue and brain fog – doctors often first prescribe antidepressants. That's because most doctors – even gynecologists – didn't receive adequate training on menopause during medical school, according to a study in the Journal of The Menopause Society. Less than one-third of the almost 100 obstetrics and gynecology residency program directors recently surveyed said they received training in their residencies. It's also because a 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study linked hormone therapy to slightly higher risks of breast cancer, heart attack and stroke in postmenopausal women. It was later found that the risks were mostly found in women who were older when they started hormone therapy. Use of hormone therapy dropped from about 40% in 1999 to about 5% in 2020, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for menopause, and is the first recommendation, according to the North American Menopause Society. 'Clinicians can be defensive and women can be gaslit and misdiagnosed,' says Heidi Flagg, an OB-GYN, menopause specialist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of medicine. 'With perimenopause, the first line should always be hormone therapy. We see a profound change in women with their brain fog and feelings of depression and improvements in hot flashes and other symptoms.' Flagg and other doctors say that if there are major depressive symptoms, they will work with a psychiatrist to see if antidepressants may help in addition to hormone therapy for perimenopause. For the small number of women who cannot take estrogen due to a history of breast cancer or other reasons, doctors do recommend antidepressants as a treatment option. 'We are doing women a disservice by not talking to them about a natural hormone that will improve their mood and sexual function,' Flagg says. Perimenopause symptoms also can mirror those for anxiety and depression says Dr. Sameena Rahman, an OB-GYN and sex and menopause specialist in Chicago. "You have this roller coaster of hormones happening during midlife where so many other things are happening," Rahman says. "It can be confusing for clinicians and patients." How doctors hope to change treatment of perimenopause As more Gen X and older millennial women begin menopause and perimenopause, they are sharing their stories and demanding better treatment. They are not OK with experiencing it like their mothers did. Menopause also has become big business, with more than 40% of U.S. women in perimenopause, menopause or are postmenopausal. And most women are in worse health during menopause, which can last one-third of women's lives. 'We have a gender health gap,' Dr. Mary Claire Haver, author of 'The New Menopause," says. 'Women are ready to be advocates for themselves. They want better choices than their mothers have, and they are embracing it.' Three states recently have passed menopause laws ranging from continuing education requirements to mandated insurance coverage. And one in four states have introduced legislation around menopause care and education. The Menopause Society recently launched a $10 million training program to help train more than 25,000 healthcare workers in menopause and perimenopause. What women in perimenopause should do Until more doctors - from general practitioners to gynecologists are educated, experts say that women need to educate themselves and become their own advocates. 'I felt so miserable, I was falling asleep at dinner,' McDonald said. 'They tested me for Lyme disease. I went to the doctor so many times, complaining about it. And it's like doctors make you feel like you're crazy or making it up.' McDonald spent several years on antidepressants before pushing for an evaluation of her hormone levels. She was later put on a low dose of estrogen and within two weeks felt better. 'You really have to be your own advocate,' she says. How to treat perimenopause Find a provider who specializes in perimenopause or menopause. The Menopause Society, which certifies them, offers a list. Find a provider early. Women often experience perimenopause at 35, so many will be in perimenopause of menopause for half of their lives, Stewart says. Educate yourself before you meet with your provider, Flagg says. Pair any medication with lifestyle changes such as nutrition and exercise to alleviate symptoms, Stewart says. Talk to other women about it. Share your experience with providers. 'Our job is now to educate our mothers and daughters,' McDonald says. 'We went through this, so they don't have to.' Laura Trujillo is a national columnist focusing on health and wellness. She is the author of "Stepping Back from the Ledge: A Daughter's Search for Truth and Renewal," and can be reached at ltrujillo@
Time Business News
22-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
Top Psychiatrists Recommend These ADHD Meds for Anxiety
When it comes to treating anxiety, especially in individuals who also have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), finding the right medication can be challenging. Many symptoms of anxiety and ADHD overlap, such as restlessness, trouble concentrating, and irritability. Fortunately, top psychiatrists have identified several best adhd medication for adults with anxiety that not only help with focus and hyperactivity but also offer significant relief from anxiety symptoms. Here's a closer look at the top ADHD medications often recommended by psychiatrists for managing anxiety. When managing anxiety or depression, selecting the right medication can significantly influence treatment outcomes. Both medications work by affecting serotonin levels in the brain, yet they have distinct characteristics and side effect profiles. In the comparison of Zoloft vs lexapro, Zoloft may be more energizing and is often used for a broader range of conditions, including OCD and PTSD, while Lexapro is typically favored for its tolerability and fewer interactions. Consulting with a healthcare provider helps determine which option aligns best with individual needs, ensuring a personalized approach to mental health treatment. Strattera is a non-stimulant medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD. Unlike traditional stimulants, Strattera works by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter involved in attention and emotional regulation. Because it doesn't act on dopamine in the same way as stimulants, it carries a lower risk of dependency and is often favored for patients with co-occurring anxiety disorders. Psychiatrists often recommend Strattera for individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) alongside ADHD because it provides cognitive benefits without worsening anxiety. Many patients find that Strattera helps improve focus while also easing symptoms such as worry, excessive fear, and physical tension. Originally developed as a treatment for high blood pressure, Intuniv has been repurposed as a non-stimulant ADHD medication, especially effective in children and adolescents. It works by activating alpha-2A adrenergic receptors in the brain, which help regulate attention, impulsivity, and emotional responses. What sets Intuniv apart is its calming effect. Psychiatrists often prescribe it for patients who experience high levels of emotional reactivity or stress. It can reduce anxiety symptoms like nervousness, sleep problems, and irritability, making it a popular choice for patients with both ADHD and anxiety. Kapvay, an extended-release form of clonidine, is another non-stimulant option used to treat ADHD, especially in younger patients. Like Intuniv, Kapvay affects the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, helping to improve attention while also reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Clonidine's sedative properties are particularly beneficial for patients with anxiety-related insomnia. Psychiatrists often recommend Kapvay for individuals who struggle with restlessness, racing thoughts, and trouble sleeping. Because it has a dual effect—calming the body and mind—it's frequently used in patients whose anxiety is physically overwhelming. Though primarily an antidepressant, Wellbutrin is sometimes used off-label for ADHD treatment. It functions as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), increasing the levels of both neurotransmitters in the brain. This dual action can enhance focus and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Wellbutrin is favored by psychiatrists for patients who have mild to moderate ADHD symptoms along with anxiety or depression. It doesn't carry the same side effect profile as stimulants and can be a good alternative for individuals who are sensitive to traditional ADHD medications or who have a history of substance use disorders. Vyvanse is a stimulant that is commonly prescribed for moderate to severe ADHD. While stimulants are often thought to worsen anxiety, this is not always the case. Many patients report that treating their ADHD symptoms with Vyvanse leads to an overall reduction in anxiety because they can focus better and manage daily tasks more effectively. Psychiatrists may recommend Vyvanse for patients whose anxiety is primarily a result of unmanaged ADHD. By improving executive function and reducing mental clutter, Vyvanse helps some individuals feel more in control, which indirectly reduces anxiety. However, it must be prescribed cautiously, as it can sometimes increase nervousness or insomnia in sensitive individuals. Adderall XR is another stimulant that combines two amphetamine salts to target the dopamine and norepinephrine systems in the brain. Like Vyvanse, it's often prescribed for patients with ADHD and co-occurring anxiety—especially when anxiety is secondary to the distress caused by disorganization, forgetfulness, or impulsivity. Top psychiatrists emphasize the importance of careful monitoring when using Adderall XR in patients with anxiety. While it can lead to significant improvements in focus and performance, it may also cause jitteriness or increased heart rate. For this reason, lower starting doses and close follow-ups are essential. The decision to use a particular ADHD medication to manage anxiety depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of each condition, the patient's medical history, age, and potential for substance misuse. Non-stimulants are often preferred when anxiety is severe or pre-existing. Stimulants can be helpful when ADHD symptoms are driving the anxiety, but they require more careful titration and supervision. It's also important to note that medication is just one piece of the puzzle. Psychiatrists often recommend combining pharmacological treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and lifestyle modifications for the best outcomes. Diet, sleep, and exercise all play crucial roles in regulating mood and attention. Top psychiatrists understand that treating ADHD and anxiety together requires a balanced and thoughtful approach. While medications like Strattera, Intuniv, Kapvay, Wellbutrin, Vyvanse, and Adderall XR all offer potential benefits, the best choice depends on the individual's unique profile. A comprehensive evaluation by a licensed psychiatrist is essential for selecting the most effective and safest option. With the right treatment plan in place, many patients experience significant relief from both ADHD and anxiety symptoms—leading to better focus, improved emotional regulation, and a higher quality of life. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
