5X Imelda Perfect Slimming is an over-the-counter weight loss product marketed as a fat burner. Despite advertising claims that the diet capsules are filled with 100 percent natural herbal essences, the Food and Drug Administration warns that 5X...
S-adenosyl-L-methionine, more commonly known as S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, is marketed as a natural supplement used primarily in the treatment of depression. SAMe is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring compound produced in the body to...
5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, occurs naturally in your body normally after eating protein. 5-HTP helps boost the brain chemical serotonin and is used as a supplement to treat depression, but its efficacy is unproven. 5-HTP supplements have been...
Demerol is a narcotic medication that is used to relieve pain. Like any drug, Demerol has specific uses and should not be used in people with some medical conditions. It also has side effects and possible drug interactions that can make it a...
Depressant drugs depress the central nervous system and bring on muscle relaxation, sedation, drowsiness and, in the extreme, coma. They can disinhibit emotions and impulses. They may also create a "high." Opiates, sedative-hypnotics and alcohol...
5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate mood and behavior. For this reason, 5-HTP might benefit sleep, mood and pain disorders, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center,...
Restless leg syndrome refers to a medical problem in which the legs feel uncomfortable, especially when sitting or lying down. The Mayo Clinic says at their website MayoClinic.com that symptoms of restless leg syndrome include such unpleasant...
Percocet is the brand name for a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is a potent narcotic pain reliever that can be combined with acetaminophen to maximize the pain-relieving effects. This allows a lower dose of oxycodone to be...
Reductil, or sibutramine, is an oral anorexiant drug used in the treatment of obesity. With proper diet and an exercise program, Reductil can help users lose weight faster than diet or exercise alone. This medication works by reducing cravings and...
OxyContin is one of the trade name for the powerful painkiller called oxycodone hydrochloride. Purdue Pharma manufactures OxyContin. In 10 years as of this writing, emergency-room visits related to OxyContin have jumped more than 100 percent,...
Many people use nicotine chewing gum to stop smoking. It not only provides a source of nicotine to reduce withdrawal symptoms, but also provides the psychological benefit of acting as a substitute oral activity. Although nicotine gums are commonly...
Nicorette is a smoking cessation gum that contains nicotine to help curb cigarette cravings. According to MedlinePlus, it replaces the oral fixation of smoking with the action of chewing gum. Typically, people begin chewing one piece of Nicorette...
In your brain, several neurotransmitters affect your behavior and mood. One type of neurotransmitter is serotonin, which plays a role in your mood, sleep and how you feel pain. Irregular levels of this neurotransmitter can result in different...
Echinacea is a medicinal herb first used by Native Americans to treat infections. Today, it is most often used to treat the common cold. It is unclear if echinacea works, as the research evidence is conflicting. Echinacea is also used to treat...
Serotonin is one of the most important of the neurotransmitters, regulating processes in the body as diverse as digestion and temperature control. It is best known, however, for its role in regulating mood. It also is the direct precursor to...
If you have decided to quit smoking as your New Year's resolution, you can talk to your doctor about getting help to ease you through the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Your doctor may recommend that you begin chewing Nicorette DS gum for a...
According to the U.S Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the definition for the word "narcotic" varies greatly depending on the context in which it is used. The strictest way to define the word is to include only substances that bind to opiate...
The supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is an alternative treatment used for several conditions, include fibromyalgia and depression. Manufacturers obtain 5-HTP from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant. While 5-HTP may help reduce...
According to Lab Tests Online, drug screening usually begins with an initial test, followed by a confirmatory or quantitative test. Detecting drugs on a drug screen depends on the type of screen performed. Urine, blood, hair, sweat and saliva...
Teenage depression is medically identical to adult depression, according to MayoClinic.com. Nonetheless, coping with depression as a teenager can pose a different set of challenges than those faced by adults. Since depression can cause long-term...
While a number of effective pharmaceutical treatments for depression have been developed, many of these drugs have undesirable or even potentially fatal side effects, leading some people to consider alternatives. SAMe, prescribed for depression in...
Once called "senility" and assumed to be a normal part of aging, dementia is a brain disease that causes a decline in cognitive abilities. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, followed...
The use of St. John's wort to treat mental disorders dates back centuries and continues today because of its effectiveness in helping people with mild to moderate depression, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports....
S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, exists abundantly throughout your body. Purported uses for supplement form include treating depression, arthritis, fibromyalgia and liver disease. Research supports some of these suggested uses but some studies...
The word "narcotic" is often used to describe opiate or opiate-derived drugs. At times, the word narcotic has been used inaccurately and interchangeably with drugs from other classes or categories. According to the 2002 textbook, "Drugs, Medicine...
