Posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 23:53:34
In reply to FACHAD: what are ''pstims''? (nm) » fachad, posted by Janelle on March 19, 2002, at 22:38:34
Pstims is PSB jargon, but I like it.
Pstims is a shortening of Psycho-stimulants. They are sometimes referred to as CNS stimulants or just stimulants.
The classical pstims are the amphetamines. Currently marketed amphetamine based pstims are:
Adderall, which is mixed salts of different amphetamines
Dexedrine, which is just the dextro salt or dextroamphetamine
Desoxyn, methamphetamine. Very expensive and seldom used because of street abuse.
Then there is methylphenedate (Ritalin). It comes in various immediate release forms and various long acting forms. Now they have released the dextro only form, dextromethylphenedate under the brand name Focalin.
The above pstims are all DEA Schedule II drugs, meaning that the scripts have to be in writing, no refills are allowed, no more that 30 days can be dispensed, maximum hassle for you, your doctor and your pharmacist.
Then there are the "other, non Schedule II" pstims. The oldest is pemoline (Cylert), but it has been linked to liver damage in some rare cases.
There are some pstims that were marketed as diet drugs like fenfluramine (Podamin).
The newest pstim is modafinal (Provigil). It is an active metabolite of Adafranil that we here in the US hear so much about but probably won't ever see. Modafanil, which is here is insanely expensive.
Anyway, that’s what pstims are and which ones are out there. Most pstims boost dopamine instead of serotonin and norepenephrine like classical ADs
The only current approved uses are treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, but many pdocs are finding them useful for augmenting SSRIs and other ADs.
When you have a minute take a look at something I wrote for BekkaH a bit ago about why Ritalin is not considered an anti-depressant.
poster:fachad
thread:98611
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98949.html