Health ministry of republic of moldova the university of medicine and pharmacy nicolae testemiţanu

Depressants
 
are psychoactive drugs that temporarily reduce the 
function or activity of a specific part of the body or brain. Examples of 
these kinds of effects may include anxiolysis, sedation, and hypotension. 
Due to their effects typically having a "down" quality to them, depres-
sants are also occasionally referred to as 
"downers".
 
Stimulants 
or
 "up-
pers", 
which increase mental and/or physical function, are considered to 
be the functional opposites of depressants. Depressants are widely used 
throughout the world as prescription medicines and as illicit substances. 
When these are used, effects may include anxiolysis, analgesia, sedation, 
somnolence, cognitive/memory impairment, dissociation, muscle 
relaxation, lowered blood pressure/heart rate, respiratory depression, 
anesthesia, and anticonvulsant effects. Some are also capable of indu-
cing feelings of euphoria. Depressants exert their effects through a num-
ber of different pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of 
which include facilitation of GABA and/or opioid activity, and inhibi-
tion of adrenergic, histamine and/or acetylcholine activity. Anaesthetics, 
sedatives, tranquillizers and alcohol are examples of depressants. 
Depressants are used both individually and clinically for therapeu-
tic purposes in the treatment of a number of indications, including the 
following: 
–
To reduce feelings of anxiety, panic, and stress; 
–
To induce sleepiness and relieve insomnia; 
–
To induce analgesia and relieve aches and pains; 
–
To reduce convulsions/seizures in the treatment of epilepsy; 
–
To cause muscle relaxation for those with muscle pain or spasms; 
–
To lower blood pressure and/or heart rate; 
–
To boost the mood and/or enhance sociability. 
Antipsychotics
 
are drugs used to treat various symptoms of psycho-
sis, such as those caused by psychotic disorders or schizophrenia. Anti-
psychotics are also used as mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar 
disorder, even if no symptoms of psychosis are present. Antipsychotics 
are sometimes referred to as neuroleptic drugs and some antipsychotics 
are branded "major tranquilizers". 

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There are two categories of antipsychotics: 
typical antipsychotics 
and
atypical antipsychotics. 
Most antipsychotics are available only by 
prescription. 
Common antipsychotics: 
–
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), typical antipsychotic; 
–
Haloperidol (Haldol), typical antipsychotic; 
–
Perphenazine (Trilafon), typical antipsychotic; 
–
Thioridazine (Mellaril), typical antipsychotic; 
–
Thiothixene (Navane), typical antipsychotic; 
–
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine), typical antipsychotic; 
–
Aripiprazole (Abilify), atypical antipsychotic; 
–
Olanzapine (Zyprexa), atypical antipsychotic; 
–
Quetiapine (Seroquel), atypical antipsychotic; 
–
Risperidone (Risperdal), atypical antipsychotic; 
–
Ziprasidone (Geodon), atypical antipsychotic.