Medication Reference
Prescriptions we actually talk about at LiveWell.
Each entry links to the full breakdown on psychiatry.help -- how it works, who it is for, real side effects, and what to expect. No spin.
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Stimulants and non-stimulants for attention
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
Smooth, long-acting prodrug. Where we typically start for adults with ADHD. 12-14 hour coverage.
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Adderall (amphetamine salts)
Classic. IR and XR forms. More noticeable on/off cycle. Wide generic supply.
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Concerta (methylphenidate XR)
Different mechanism from amphetamines. Steady 8-12 hour coverage. The call when amphetamines don't sit right.
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Guanfacine (Intuniv)
Non-stimulant. Useful when anxiety is on board, sleep is rough, or stimulants are not appropriate.
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Depression
Antidepressants and mood-support medications
Wellbutrin (bupropion)
NDRI, not an SSRI. No sexual dysfunction. Energy-activating profile. Good when motivation is the problem.
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Zoloft (sertraline)
Most prescribed SSRI. Broad-spectrum: depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, panic. Decades of data.
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Prozac (fluoxetine)
Long half-life, forgiving of missed doses. Activating side. Also used for OCD and bulimia.
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Trintellix (vortioxetine)
Newer. Cleaner cognitive profile. Good when brain fog is dragging alongside mood.
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Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
SNRI. Useful when energy, pain, and mood are all in the mix. Fewer CYP interactions than venlafaxine.
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Anxiety & Sleep
Non-controlled options we reach for first
Hydroxyzine (antihistamine)
PRN anxiety plus sleep. Not a controlled substance. Sedating, short-acting, non-addictive. Underrated.
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Propranolol (beta-blocker)
Performance anxiety: heart rate, voice, hands. Take 60-90 minutes before the event. Not for daily use.
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Trazodone (SARI)
Sleep without the dependency of sleep aids. Also useful for nightmares in PTSD. Low morning grogginess at low doses.
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Remeron (mirtazapine)
Heavily sedating. The call when sleep is broken and appetite is gone. Weight gain is real.
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Melatonin (supplement)
OTC. Lower doses (0.5-1 mg) work better than the 10 mg everyone reaches for. Timing matters more than dose.
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Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Strong OCD evidence. The real play when OCD is driving the anxiety, not a first-line SSRI.
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Controlled sleep aids (Ambien, Lunesta, Ativan) further down this page ↓
Mood Disorders & Atypicals
Bipolar depression and stabilizer options
Sleep Aids (controlled)
Prescription sleep medications -- used carefully
Schedule IV controlled substances. We prescribe them in specific situations and avoid long-term use. Not the first or second call for insomnia.
Ambien (zolpidem)
Short-term sleep. Behavior effects (sleepwalking, sleep-driving) are real. Read the risks before starting.
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Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Similar to Ambien. Slightly longer half-life. The metallic taste is real and persistent for some people.
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Ativan (lorazepam)
Benzodiazepine. Narrow legitimate use. Dependence risk is real. Read the breakdown before asking for it.
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Sexual Health
ED and performance medications
Sildenafil (Viagra)
PDE5 inhibitor. 4-6 hour window. Take on an empty stomach. Most studied ED medication, best-understood safety profile.
Read about sildenafil →
Tadalafil (Cialis)
36-hour window. Daily low-dose option is popular because you stop timing things. Also FDA-approved for BPH.
Read about tadalafil →
Weight & GLP-1
Metabolic and appetite medications
Semaglutide (Wegovy / Ozempic)
GLP-1 agonist. Weekly injection. 15-17% average body weight loss in trials. Works on appetite signaling in the brain, not willpower.
Read about semaglutide →
Tirzepatide (Zepbound / Mounjaro)
Dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist. Outperformed semaglutide head-to-head. Up to 22% body weight reduction in SURMOUNT trials.
Read about tirzepatide →
Antibiotics
Prescriptions in the context of men's health
We prescribe antibiotics primarily in men's health contexts -- acne, STI treatment, common infections. Full guides on psychiatry.help.
Doxycycline
Broad use in men's health: acne, chlamydia, gonorrhea, tick-borne illness. Often the first call for antibiotic acne treatment.
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Azithromycin (Z-Pack)
Short-course for chlamydia, respiratory infections, and other common bacterial infections. Single-dose STI treatment regimens.
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A note on how we prescribe
We prescribe medications that support the actual work -- not instead of it. For most conditions we treat, medication is one part of the plan, not the whole plan. If medication is the right tool for where you are, we will figure out which one and start low.
We are a small practice in Vancouver WA, licensed in Oregon and Washington. Telehealth is available for most medication management. Controlled substances (stimulants, sleep medications) require a video visit under current DEA rules.
From people who actually came in
What Patients Are Saying
Came in already on three meds from three different providers, none of whom were talking to each other. We sat down and went through each one, what it was for, was it still doing the job. Knocked two of them off the list after about six weeks. Cleaner now.
Greg, 53Refills used to be the thing I dreaded most, calling around, getting voicemail, waiting three days. The portal here actually works, I message, it gets sent, pharmacy has it. Sounds basic until you've spent five years dealing with the alternative.
Joe, 51What I appreciated was Ragnar didn't just write the same script the last guy wrote. We talked about why that one wasn't quite doing it, switched to a different option in the same class, and it's working better. Took ten extra minutes to have that conversation.
Brian, 40