Here, in this place--in your place--to be a "follower" is a sign of strength. Follow then, and learn, for you've nothing to lose except confusion.

Drugs

1. The Australian Guide to Medications -- A good place to check out drugs. You can even find out which drugs are legal for athletes to take.
   
   
2. Pharmacy Web Australia -- The Australian Pharmacy Internet Directory -- Contains drug information, pharmacy links, other resources.
   
   
3. MedicineNet (TM) -- A free medical reference for finding drug information and some interesting looking data about body rythyms..
   
   
4. Healthguide Online: The Pharmacy -- Anything and everything you need to know about drugs of all sorts can be found here. Easy to navigate. Outstanding site! Highly recommended.
   
   
5. Drug InfoNet -- This is a fine place to find information on medications, pharmaceutical companies, a particular disease, current updates on meds and health, and another place to find information specific to women and children - worth a visit.
   
   
6. A Layperson's Short Classification of Psychotherapeutic Drugs -- An article by Judith Michelsen, With Notes by Abbey Strauss, M.D. - You'll find this excellent introduction to the common drugs used in pharmacotherapy on a UK site maintained by Online Psychological Services.
   
   
7. Ask the MHI Expert (Dr. Ron Pies) -- If you've a question about drug side-effects, the answer will most likely be found in the responses (100's of them!) already given to previous queries. Great source for down and dirty concise answers, along with suggestions for additional research on your part.
   
   
8. PharmInfoNet: Pharmaceutical Information Network -- Superb site! Check out drugs and their side-effects, find out the latest laws regulating the sale of drugs on the internet, participate in various forums, and much much more. Highly recommended site!
   
   
9. Anorgasmia and Other Paroxetine-Related Side-effects -- This is a selection of postings from one of the forums on the site listed above (PharmInfoNet).
   
   
10. The Internet Drug Index (RxList) -- A comprehensive site with search engine, this top 5% location is a great place to find information on various drugs, side effects, and compatibility with other drugs.
    
    
11. When antidepressants poop out, what can you do for your patients? -- (Psychopharmacology Update, Sept. 1997) - After a while, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to lose their effectiveness for some patients -- a phenomenon commonly referred to as the "pooping out syndrome."
    
    
12. Specific Antidepressants Don't Determine Suicide Risk -- Reprinted from Medical Sciences Bulletin , March 1995, published by Pharmaceutical Information Associates, Ltd. - interesting article.
    
    
13. PharmWeb -- A good source of information on various drugs, side-effects, and miscellaneous.
    
    
14. Lithium Information Center -- An excellent site for reading up on the most commonly prescribed medication for manic-depression.
    
    
15. Lithobid -- Information on this controlled release form of lithium.
    
    
16. Lithium Carbonate -- Brand names: Carbolith, Cibalith-S, Duralith, Eskalith, Lithane, lithizine, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs. A drug monograph detailing the attributes of lithium.
    
    
17. Lower Lithium Levels May Be Necessary for African-Americans -- A brief synopsis of an article that may explain why it is that African-American bipolar patients suffer significantly more side-effects at standardised therapeutic levels.
    
    
18. Neurontin and Bipolar Disorder -- Discusses the possibility of this new drug being a causative factor in manic episodes.
    
    
19. Bupropion -- US brand name is Wellbutrin. This drug monograph provides up to date information about this drug.
    
    
20. Klonopin -- Drug monograph containing all relevant information for this anxiety medication that can be extremely addictive.
    
    
21. Antipsychotic Drug Therapy - The less experienced researcher may find this tough going because it is a bit technical, but it's worth having a go at even if it doesn't all sink in just yet. Recommended
    
    
22. Early-Onset Extrapyramidal Side Effects - By: Paul J. Perry, Ph.D., Bruce Alexander, Pharm.D., Vicki L. Ellingrod, Pharm.D. - Do you take an antipsychotic? If you do, then you know about EPS right? No??? Then you better get your virtual buns in gear and read this article! It's for your own good (I don't care how much it hurts ;) EPS is really BAD STUFF!! and I don't want ya to be hurt.
    
    
23. Chemistry, Route of Access and Neurotransmission of Chlorpromazine - By Alex Woodie - A bit of chemistry that is fairly readable, along with a brief historical perspective on the drug.
    
    
24. Dose-Effect Relationships In Acute Psychosis - By Mike Moran - "[T]here is good evidence that high doses of potent neuroleptics are not more beneficial or more rapidly effective than moderate doses." Have a read and find out why.
    
    
25. Side Effects of Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) - By Ian Taera - Thorazine is probably the most infamous of all the anti-psychotic/neuroleptic drugs on the market still. A drug often abused and overused, it has some of the most dangerous and horrid of side-effects. Please be sure to read up on it before taking it if you're given the choice, and you SHOULD have such a choice!
    
    
26. Chlorpromazine and Neurotransmitters - Gregory A. Gilbert - A short, clear explanation of how Thorazine works on specific receptors in the brain.
    
    
27. Risperidone/Risperdal -- Drug monograph on the effects of this drug.
    
    
28. Risperdal Help-line -- For USA folks, dial toll free to Janssen Pharmaceuticals who make Risperdal. They have a help-line at: 1-800-676-6225.
    
    
29. Frequently Asked Questions-Venlafaxine -- Brand name is Effexor. This relatively new antidepressant isn't an SSRI like Paxil and Prozac, nor is it a tricyclic. What is clear about it is that Effexor seems to work well on many patients who've had no or poor response to other families of antidepressants. The FAQ is found on Dr. Bob's site, but was put together by the inimitable Dr. Ivan. Dr. Bob gets a real thumbs up for a heck of a nice site!
    
    
30. Life In Balance -- Newsletter of the Manic Depressive and Depressive Association of Metropolitan Detroit. This is a bit of a mish-mash of interesting tidbits, so I include it here. Topics discussed: Depression and Health: Long Term Effects; Facing Mental Illness-by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen; Antidepressant Medications Recently Approved and Antimanic Medications Recently Approved; APA Treatment Guidelines for Manic Depression, and more. Quick read and worth a look.
    
    
31. Internet Mental Health -- Fluoxetine - Brand name: Prozac - This is a drug monograph that thoroughly details all of the important information needed by anyone taking, or considering taking, fluoxetine.
    
    
32. Fact Sheet: Valproate (depakote) -- A very thorough explanation of the effects and side-effects of this commonly prescribed mood stabiliser, in both espanol and english.
    
    
33. Divalproex Sodium (Depakote,Epival) -- Medical monograph providing information on adverse reactions etc.
    
    
34. Valproate -- By Joseph R. Bona, M.D. A short discussion paper detailing the circumstances under which treatment with valproate (depakote) may be desirable, for example, in the case of those who are rapid-cyclers or resistant to lithium-therapy.
    
    
35. Relapse and SSRI Treatment For Bipolar Disorder -- Article explains and explores options for treating persons who become unrespondant to SSRI's.
    
    
36. Paxil (paroxetine) and Blunted Effect -- Important information about a possible side-effect of prolonged use of this SSRI.
    
    
37. Paroxetine - Antidepressant -- Also known under the brand name Paxil and Aropax. This page is an in depth clinical analysis of the drug trials leading to FDA approval of the drug. Extensive symptomology work up.
    
    
38. Aropax 20 Product Information (paroxetine) -- Also known as Paxil, this is an extensive and detailed cover of the drug's use and side-effects.
    
    
39. Benzodiazepines and Caffeine Effect on Daytime Sleepiness, Performance, and Mood -- NHRC Publication 88-51: Research carried out by the Navy, there's some interesting information on drug interaction.
    
    
40. Carbamazepine -- Brand name: Epitol, Tegretol - anticonvulsant, antimanic drug, sometimes also prescribed for neuralgia. This drug has been a blessing to many a bipolar who was unresponsive to lithium therapy.
    
    
41. Nefazodone: A Better Tolerated Option Than TCAs for Major Depression -- For refractory cases of depression, Nefazodone may be the answer since it does not cause abnormal weight gain, seizures, or significant sleep problems, and appears to be relatively safe in overdose. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
    
    
42. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Haloperidol (Haldol) -- This is part of an article published in Psychiatric Times March/April 1997 by Dr. Leiberman and Assoc. The file also contains some critical remarks by other researchers. This information courtesy of AMI/FAMI.
    
    
43. Mood Disorder Drugs: From Dr. Ivan Goldberg's excellent site.
    
    
44. Miscellaneous Information About Atypical Antipsychotics: Olanzapine, Resperdol. Zyprexa, and Clozaril - This is a good collection of articles and talks put together by AMI/FAMI and hosted by schizophrenia.com.
    
    
45. NAMI Update On Clozaril - The bloodtest requirements for maintenance on this drug have been revised so that mandatory testing times are reduced.
    
    
46. Psychoactive Drug List: Dr. Ivan's compilation of drugs giving both their trademarked and generic names as well as abbreviations.
    
    
47. Antdipressants: The Side-Effect Registry -- An excellent resource for determining whether what one is experiencing is to be expected when taking a particular drug.
    
    
48. Side-Effects of Various Drugs: -- This is a compendium of a number of psychoactive drugs and their possible effects. Also includes an article on the use of such drugs by the elderly, women, children and pregnant women.
    
    
49. Drug-Induced Photosensitivity - Many kinds of drugs cause photosensitive reactions, but do check the list and make sure the ones you may be taking are safe in the sun.
    
    
50. FDA Reports Accutane May Be Linked To Depression, Suicide - WASHINGTON, MD -- February 26, 1998 -- The United States Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers and health care providers of new safety information regarding the prescription anti-acne drug Accutane (isotretinoin) and isolated reports of depression, psychosis and rarely suicidal thoughts and actions. Accutane is often prescribed to bipolar patients who experience a return of severe acne due to some psychotropic drugs they are taking.
    
    
51. Side Effects Undermine Drug Compliance -- article by Scott Sleek drawn from interviews with various psychiatrists and pyscho pharmacologists. Good information here, but I disagree with Dr. Pachman's statement that the "issue of side effects is overblown." Judge for yourself as they say.
    
    
52. The Medicine Program - Can't afford the cost of your medications? Broke? Desperate? Scared? Then please check out this program to see if you are elgible for free drugs and other assistance. This isn't a government program, but it is a US program. Lack of money to purchase drugs is one of the reasons for noncompliance.
    
    
53. Antipsychotics and Sedatives May Increase Asthma Mortality -- Because antipsychotics can depress the central nervous system, they entail an additional risk for patients who have respiratory difficulties. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).