Major Tranquilisers

[volume-A]

I believe these are often used to help physcotic patients

I was given it to help in an anxiety producing situation I.E making a speech
however im not skitzo or anything like that which makes me kinda scared to try it.

Do these drugs work by just calming down the brain? Im not sure how they work

The drug ive been given is Risperdal (risperidone)

thanks

 

[collective_vision]

Risperdal isn't a major tranquilizer. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[volume-A]

yeh but collective.. it is a major tranquilser mate

 

[superbabydoc]

The term "major tranquiliser" is an old fashioned term for anti-psychotic drugs. It is not used much these days as it is just confusing. So by that definition, Risperdal is indeed a major tranquiliser. I would not take Risperdal for anxiety, and I do not think this is an appropriate use for the medication. It is sedating, and this might reduce your anxiety a little, but may make it harder to do your talk. If I were you I would go back and ask for a beta blocker, which is a better choice for performance anxiety.

 

[The pharmacist]

Atenolol is very successful at combating performance anxiety, and is a beta blocker as superbabydoc said. It is one of the most commoly perscribed performance anxiety drugs, and is probably what you will recieve if you are in the USA.

 

[volume-A]

i ended up getting something better suited, but still have a sample box of these.

Are they safe enough to use for sleep then? I mean do they have nasty side effects? or are they ok to use (seeming i have them and have trouble sleeping)

 

[Mariposa]

^^^Take Benadryl to sleep rather than taking those.

 

[twominds]

Do these drugs work by just calming down the brain? Im not sure how they work

thanks [/B]

I believe they work by reducing the activity of dopamine, which is supposedly over active in scitzophrenia patients.

 

[perfecting chaos]

I cannot believe you were given a major tranquilizer for anxiety! Anxiety was one of the primary reasons the minor tranquilizers (benzodiazepines) were made if I am not mistaken. Major tranquilizers (this includes such heavy duty drugs as Thorazine and Haldol) are mainly used as anti-psychotics in schizophrenics. Guess it just goes to show the ignorance and lack of research by some psychiatrists.

 

[superbabydoc]

^^Why are you assuming he was given Risperdal by a psychiatrist? More likely to be a General Practitioner I imagine. Anyhow, re: do they have nasty side-effects, yes they do. On starting, they often cause postural hypotension (a drop in blood pressure on standing, which can cause dizziness) and sedation. They can also cause a type of side-effect known as extra-pyramidal side effects. For more on side effects see: Risperdal

To be precise, Risperdal works by blocking both serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. Although primarily used for schizophrenia, Risperdal is sometimes prescribed for other conditions, though I maintain my previously stated opinion that anxiety is not one of them!

 

[perfecting chaos]

You are right, I was assuming the Risperdal was given by a psychiatrist, mainly because it is an anti-psychotic which are usually dispensed by psychiatrists and not general practitioners. Although it is possible, I would wonder why a normal doctor would give a drug in this category to someone for anxiety (another psychological disorder/term).

volume-A: could you enlighten us?

 

[volume-A]

It was just a normal GP that gave them to me.

I went in, told my story, and he said he would give me a sample before i actually brought anything. He went around the surgery looking for BETA-BLOCKER samples but couldnt find any, so he came back with a Risperdal sample saying they would sedate me and are a tranquilizer (thus reducing anxiety).

Beta blockers wern't the answer either becuase it isnt the physical symtoms i needed to deal with, anyway i went back and got .5mg xanax tablets (i didnt even know we had them in australia) but there u go

 

[perfecting chaos]

*Sticks foot in mouth*

Wow, I can't believe it was a GP, but I am glad you actually got something decent (Xanax) for your anxiety. Hope they work as well for you as they have for so many others I know with anxiety.

 

[geetered]

Risperdol is what they give my 92 year old great aunt because shes out of her fucking mind... for anxiety you should had got a benzo like Valium or something maybe even Trazadone... switch doctors.