Sedatives: Same as antianxiety drugs.

Sex Hormones (Female): There are two groups of these hormones (estrogens and progesterone), which are responsible for development of female secondary sexual characteristics. Small quantities are also produced in males. As drugs, female sex hormones are used to treat menstrual and menopausal disorders and are used as oral contraceptives. Estrogens may be used to treat cancer of the breast or prostate, progestins (synthetic progesterone to treat endometriosis).

Sex Hormones (Male): Androgenic hormones, of which the most powerful is testosterone, are responsible for development of male secondary sexual characteristics. Small quantities are also produced in females. As drugs, male sex hormones are given to compensate for hormonal deficiency in hypopituitarism or disorders of the testes. They may be used to treat breast cancer in women, but synthetic derivatives called anabolic steroids, which have less marked side- effects, or specific anti-estrogens are often preferred. Anabolic steroids also have a "body building" effect that has led to their (usually nonsanctioned) use in competitive sports, for both men and women.

Sleeping Drugs: The two main groups of drugs that are used to induce sleep in patients with insomnia are benzodiazepines and barbiturates. All such drugs have a sedative effect in low doses and are effective sleeping medications in higher doses. Benzodiazepines drugs are used more widely than barbiturates because they are safer, the side-effects are less marked, and there is less risk of eventual physical dependence.

Sleep Medications may be used occasionally during flares or when the patient is having severe sleeping problems. They can be habit forming, however, Ambien is thought to be less habit forming, is well tolerated, with few side effects, and there are no known drug interactions. This sleep medication should not be used more than two or three times a week.

Tranquilizers: This is a term commonly used to describe any drug that has a calming or sedative effect. However, the drugs that are sometimes called minor tranquilizers should be called antianxiety drugs, and the drugs that are sometimes called major tranquilizers should be called antipsychotics.

Vitamins: Chemicals essential in small quantities for good health. Some vitamins are not manufactured by the body, but adequate quantities are present in a normal diet. People whose diets are inadequate or who have digestive tract or liver disorders may need to take supplementary vitamins.

NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories) Advil, Clinoril, Motrin, Naproxen, Relafen and Voltaren. Used alone, these anti-inflammatories have not proven effective in reducing FMS pain. However, Elavil and Xanax's effectiveness is increased when used in combination with ibuprofen (2400 mg per day). If the patient has arthritis, osteoarthritis or tendinitis these medications would be helpful in alleviating the pain.

Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Relafen, etc., are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. These medications can cause stomach upset and some patients have developed bleeding ulcers.

Date: 2014-12-29; view: 1155