​With the help of psychiatric medications, many people with mental illness have gone on to live fulfilling lives. There is a wide range of safe and effective medications available to treat mental illnesses and it is important to know the medications prescribed to you.

Besides knowing what they are and what symptoms they treat, it is good to be aware of some of the side effects so that you would be able to talk to your doctor about them. Adhering to medication dosages and schedules is important.

If you wish to adjust the medication routine, please consult your healthcare professional. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional.

The following medications available in IMH are grouped under their respective categories. Learn more about your medications, their uses, precautions, side effects and proper storage.

For medications not found on this page, you may seek more info here – A-Z Glossary - HealthHub.

If you have further queries or feedback on medications, you may contact us here.

Antidepressants are primarily used to treat symptoms of depression like persistent feelings of sadness, significant loss of interest in daily activities, appetite and weight changes, disruptions to sleep pattern and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. They act by regulating certain neurotransmitter levels in the brain. They are also used to treat other conditions, like anxiety disorders and eating disorders​.​

There are many different types of antidepressants, grouped under their respective classes:

1. SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SSRIs)

Escitalopram​​

Fluoxetine

Fluvoxamine​

Paroxetine

Sertraline
 ​
如果您需要 SSRIs 华文信息，请点击这里。​​

2. TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TCAs)

Amitriptyline

Clomipramine

Dothiepin

Imipramine

Nortriptyline

3. SEROTONIN AND NOREPINEPHRINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SNRIs)

Desvenlafaxine

Duloxetine

Venlafaxine
​

4. OTHERS

Agomelatine

Bupropion

Mirtazapine

Moclobemide

Tianeptine

Trazodone

Vortioxetine​


Benzodiazepines, Z-hypnotics and Antihistamines are some classes of medications that are used in the acute treatment of anxiety and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Some of the medications may have other uses. For example, Hydroxyzine may also be used to relieve skin itch, while some Benzodiazepines may also be used to prevent or control seizures. 

1. BENZODIAZEPINES

Alprazolam

Clonazepam​

Diazepam​

Lorazepam

如果您需要 Benzodiazepines 华文信息，请点击这里。​​​

2. Z-HYPNOTICS

Zolpidem

Zopiclone


3. ANTIHISTAMINES

Hydroxyzine​

 4. OTHERS

Melatonin ​


​Antipsychotics are used to treat and prevent the recurrence of symptoms of psychosis in schizophrenia. These include hearing or seeing things which are actually not present, disorganised or unreal thoughts, suspiciousness or uncontrollable anger. Some antipsychotics can be used for mood swings in bipolar disorders or depression, as well as irritability of agitation in persons with autism. They can be divided into two groups, namely the typical and atypical antipsychotics.

*Available in depot (prolonged-acting) injection formulation​​

1. TYPICAL (FIRST GENERATION)

Chlorpromazine​

Haloperidol​*

Sulpiride​

Trifluoperazine

如果您需要 typical antipsychotics 华文信息，请点击这里。​

Flupenthixol Decanoate*

Zuclopenthixol Decanoate*

2. ATYPICAL (SECOND GENERATION)

Amisulpride

Aripiprazole*

Brexipiprazole

Cariprazine

Clozapine             如果您需要 Clozapine 华文信息，请点击这里。​

Lurasidone

Olanzapine           如果您需要 Olanzapine 华文信息，请点击这里​​​。​​

Paliperidone*

Quetiapine            如果您需要 Quetiapine 华文信息，请点击这里​​​。

Risperidone*         如果您需要 Risperidone 华文信息，请点击这里​​​。​


Benzhexol and Benztropine are two types of anticholinergic medications used to control some of the side effects that can occur from taking antipsychotic medications. These side effects include tremors, muscle stiffness and movement difficulties. They may also be used to control movement difficulties associated with Parkinson’s disease. 

Benzhexol

Benztropine


Mood stabilisers are used primarily to reduce the severity of mood swings in bipolar and other types of mood disorders. Besides Lithium, the other mood stabilisers can also be used to control seizures (fits) in the treatment of epilepsy and in other medical conditions. 

Carbamazepine

Lamotrigine

Lithium

Sodium Valproate


Dementia medications are used to treat the symptoms of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease. These include difficulty remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things, problems with thinking, speaking, understanding, reading or writing, poor concentration or judgment. They do not cure or stop the disease from getting worse but can help improve the patient’s ability to think and perform daily activities.​

**Available in oral and skin patch formulation 

Donepezil

Galantamine

Memantine

Rivastigmine**


Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine and Guanfacine are medcations used alongside other educational, social and psychological methods to treat ADHD. Methylphenidate, a common preferred treatment option, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that increases dopamine amounts in the brain. These medications work by increasing the amounts of certain neurotransmitters in the brain to help improve attention and decrease restlessness in individuals with ADHD ​who tend to be hyperactive, easily distracted and impulsive.

Atomoxetine

Guanfacine ​

Methylphenidate


Medications may be used as ​an adjunct in the treatment of nicotine dependence. 

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Bupropion

Varenicline ​