Medication Reference

Each section below covers one class of psychiatric medication: what it does, common examples, what it's typically prescribed for, how long it takes to work, common side effects, and important safety notes. The goal isn't to help you self-diagnose or self-prescribe — it's to help you understand what a prescriber might suggest, why, and what questions are worth asking.

Medications are listed by generic name, with the most common brand namein parentheses the first time each drug is mentioned. Your prescription may use either name. If you don't see a medication you've been prescribed here, ask your prescriber or pharmacist which class it belongs to — most psychiatric medications fit into one of these families.

Everyone's body chemistry, health history, and life circumstances are different. What works well for one person may not work for another, and that's normal — it often takes some trial and adjustment to find the right medication and dose. That process works best as a partnership with your prescriber, not something you navigate alone.

What they do:SSRIs increase the availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and anxiety regulation. They're usually the first medication tried for depression and many anxiety-related conditions because they tend to be well-tolerated and effective for a broad range of people.

Common medications

• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• sertraline (Zoloft)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• citalopram (Celexa)
• paroxetine (Paxil)

Used for

Major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety.

Timeline

Some initial effects — often on sleep, energy, or anxiety — can appear within 2 to 4 weeks. Full antidepressant effect typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. It's common to feel discouraged before that window closes; that doesn't necessarily mean the medication isn't working.

Common side effects (first few weeks)

Nausea, headache, changes in sleep, and jitteriness are common when starting an SSRI. These are usually transient — meaning they tend to fade within the first one to two weeks as your body adjusts.

Longer-term side effects

Some side effects can persist or emerge later in treatment, including sexual dysfunction, weight changes, and emotional blunting (a sense of feeling emotionally flattened or "numbed out"). These are worth reporting to your prescriber — there are often ways to address them, including adjusting the dose or switching medications.

What they do:SNRIs increase the availability of both serotonin and norepinephrine, another neurotransmitter involved in alertness and the body's stress response. That dual action can make them useful for conditions involving both mood and physical symptoms, like chronic pain.

Common medications

• venlafaxine (Effexor)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Used for

Depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and certain chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia.

Timeline

Similar to SSRIs — expect 2 to 6 weeks for effects to build.

Common side effects

Many of the same early side effects as SSRIs — nausea, dizziness, and sweating — plus the possibility of a modest increase in blood pressure, particularly with venlafaxine. Blood pressure is usually checked periodically while on this class.

What they do: Mood stabilizers help even out mood swings and prevent both manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes. They work through different mechanisms depending on the specific medication.

Common medications

• lithium
• valproate / valproic acid (Depakote)
• lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Used for

Bipolar disorder is the primary indication. Mood stabilizers are sometimes also used to augment treatment for depression that hasn't responded well to antidepressants alone.

Timeline

Lithium can begin reducing acute manic symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks, with full mood stabilization building over weeks to months. Lamotrigine requires a slow titration over 6 or more weeks— the dose is increased gradually on a set schedule, which is a safety measure, not a sign it isn't working yet.

Common side effects

Lithium: increased thirst, tremor, and weight gain. Requires regular blood level checks along with thyroid and kidney monitoring. Valproate: weight gain, GI upset, and requires liver function monitoring. Lamotrigine: generally well-tolerated once at a stable dose.

What they do:Atypical ("second-generation") antipsychotics affect dopamine and serotonin systems in the brain. Despite the name, they're used well beyond psychosis — including for mood disorders, often at much lower doses than used for schizophrenia.

Common medications

• quetiapine (Seroquel)
• aripiprazole (Abilify)
• olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• risperidone (Risperdal)
• lurasidone (Latuda)

Used for

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and augmentation for treatment-resistant depression. Some, at low doses, are also used off-label to help with sleep or anxiety.

Timeline

Antipsychotic effects on symptoms like agitation or disordered thinking can appear within days to a couple of weeks. Mood stabilization effects typically build over several weeks.

Common side effects

Weight gain and metabolic effects (changes in blood sugar and cholesterol) are common and are usually monitored with regular bloodwork. Sedation is also common, especially early on. Movement-related side effects are possible but less common than with older, first-generation antipsychotics.

What they do: Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region involved in focus, planning, and impulse control. For people with ADHD, this often translates into improved attention and executive function.

Common medications

• methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
• amphetamine salts (Adderall)
• lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)

Used for

ADHD is the primary indication for this class.

Timeline

Unlike most psychiatric medications, stimulants often produce noticeable effects the same day or within a few days of starting, since they work directly on attention and alertness rather than requiring weeks of gradual neurochemical adjustment.

Common side effects

Decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate or blood pressure, and anxiety or irritability, particularly as a dose wears off.

What they do:Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of GABA, the brain's primary calming neurotransmitter, producing a rapid anti-anxiety and sedating effect.

Common medications

• lorazepam (Ativan)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• diazepam (Valium)

Used for

Acute anxiety, panic attacks, short-term crisis management, and procedural anxiety (for example, before a medical procedure or a flight).

Timeline

Fast. Effects are typically felt within 30 to 60 minutes, which is part of what makes this class useful for acute, in-the-moment anxiety.

Common side effects

Drowsiness, cognitive dulling (feeling mentally "foggy"), and impaired coordination.

What they do: This class reduces anxiety through mechanisms different from benzodiazepines, without the same dependency risk — which makes some of these medications better suited for daily, long-term use.

Common medications

• buspirone (Buspar)
• hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax)

Used for

Buspirone is used for generalized anxiety disorder. Hydroxyzine is used for acute anxiety and, because of its sedating effect, sometimes for sleep.

Timeline

Buspirone takes 2 to 4 weeks to reach full effect — it is not a rescue medication for sudden anxiety spikes. Hydroxyzine works much faster, with effects within 30 to 60 minutes, similar to a benzodiazepine but without the dependence risk.

Common side effects

Buspirone: dizziness, nausea, and headache. Hydroxyzine: drowsiness and dry mouth.

Whatever medication is being considered or already prescribed, these questions can help you get the information you need to feel confident about your treatment:

• What is this medication for?
• How long until it works?
• What side effects should I expect?
• What should I do if I have side effects?
• How long will I take it?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• Are there food or drug interactions I should know about?
• What's the plan for monitoring?

Writing these questions down before an appointment — and keeping a simple log of side effects or mood changes between visits — can make a real difference in short appointment windows. Your prescriber wants this information; asking isn't a bother, it's part of good care.

Meridian maintains a verified directory of New Hampshire providers, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and community mental health centers that offer medication management and prescribing.