Aggression other drugs

Although SSRl overdose can cause seizures, coma and cardiac abnormahties (Barbey and Roose 1998), these toxic effects occur only in large overdoses or in combination with other drugs. Fatality rates are substantially lower than with TCA overdose (Mason et al. 2000). Public attention has been drawn to reports of suicidal and aggressive thoughts and behaviour associated with initiating SSRls (Healy 2003). The scientific basis for this assertion is disputed and continues to be debated, but it does not appear that SSRl treatment is associated with increased suicidality on a population level (Carlsten et al. 2001 Khan et al. 2003). 

The primary goal of therapy is the control of the hypercholesterolemia and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Patients with heterozygous FH can usually be successfully treated with medications to lower the LDL cholesterol to acceptable levels (Table 14-2). They are generally responsive to treatment with statins, alone or in combination with other drugs, such as bile acid sequestrants (such as cholestyramine) or cholesterol absorption inhibitors (such as ezetimibe) that act additively to upregulate the expression of the functioning LDL receptor as described in the Biochemical Perspectives section. In a few cases, a more aggressive treatment with LDL apheresis (discussed in this section) may have to be considered in order to reach acceptable LDL cholesterol levels. 

With Klonopin (clonazepam), the most common side effects are difficulty with balance and drowsiness PDR, 2(XX)). Social workers need to be aware that there may be behavioral and emotional side effects that include irritability, excitement, increased anger and aggression, trouble sleeping or nightmares, and memory loss (Dulcan, 1999). These side effects can be very disturbing to the client as well as to family members, and it is critical that families be educated about the problems that can occur and how to handle them. The most serious side effect with Klonopin is probably the interaction if this medication is combined with alcohol or other drugs, which can result in sleepiness, unconsciousness, and death PDR, 2000). 

Stimulants and other drugs are often used to improve normal performance, or correct exaggerated aggressiveness or rage. In one of the council s reports. Dr. Kass wrote that Artificial enhancement can certainly improve a child s abilities and performance, but it does so in a way that separates some element of that achievement from the effort of achieving. It may both rob the child of the edifying features of that effort and teach a child, by parental example, that high performance is to be achieved by artificial means. ... 

Cannabis differs from opiates, amphetamines, and cocaine in many respects. First, its toxicity is very low. Also, because its action is sedative, its long-term use produces lethargy, apathy, and passiveness. By contrast, many other drugs of abuse, especially the stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines or the LSD-type hallucinogens, induce aggressiveness and wakefulness, respectively. 

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that is structurally related to tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine. Carbamazepine is effective in the treatment of psychomotor and grand mal seizures and pain from trigeminal neuralgia and, in combination with other drugs, for psychiatric disorders such as mania and extreme aggression. Carbamazepine is also occasionally used to control pain in persons with cancer. Carbamazepine was first mar-... 

Dr. Michelakis is unable to make any conclusions about these effects because the number of patients treated is too few. He supports further human studies, especially in combination therapies, but is concerned DCA is vulnerable to other drugs in the emerging family of metabolic modulators for treating aggressive GBM in humans."... 

---