When comparing venlafaxine versus desvenlafaxine, we must first recognize that they are both part of the drug class called SNRIs. Both of these medications work by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Venlafaxine comes in an extended-release...
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are FDA-approved for various conditions, such as anxiety, mood disorders, insomnia, and seizures. Although they treat a wide range of conditions, there are many safety concerns including increased risk of falls, cognitive impairment, delirium,...
There are two agents that are frequently used in alcohol use disorder. Acamprosate and naltrexone have distinct advantages and disadvantages in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. In this article, we will compare the clinical benefits and risks of acamprosate vs...
Many drugs cause insomnia. What is most frustrating to me in my practice is when we start medications for a “new condition” prior to ruling out medication adverse effects. Here is the list of my top 5 drugs that cause insomnia (an important adverse...
Opvee (nalmefene), is an intranasal opioid antagonist used for opioid overdose and was approved by the FDA in 2023. This approval provided another tool to aid in combating the opioid crisis. There are currently two medications, Opvee and Narcan (naloxone), that can...
In this blog post, I want to share some important SSRI clinical pearls that help clinicians decide which of these antidepressants to use. Note that these clinical practice pearls are good examples of some testable items that may show up on your board exam 🙂 Sertraline...
