Stuttering and MedicationsCity of Chicago NSA Chapter

March 26, 2015

DISCLAIMERNothing in this presentation should be construed as medical advice (I AM NOT A DOCTOR)

None of this information should be construed as expert knowledge (lots of Wikipedia references…)

You should ALWAYS consult your doctor before trying any medication

There is no drug currently available that has been proven to have a safe, effective effect on fluency enhancement

To date, there are no drugs that specifically target stuttering

Anecdotal and minimal research is available for some medications formulated for other diagnoses

Most drugs investigated thus far are for mood/mental health disorders

Surface vs. Subaquatic

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SSRIs: depression, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, eating disorders, stroke recovery, premature ejaculation

Anxiolytics: decrease anxiety

Antipsychotics: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, dementia

Side effects…Antipsychotics

Weight gain, headaches, dizziness, nausea, movement disorders, depression, sexual dysfunction, blood pressure, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, osteoporosis, diarrhea, sedation, anxiety

Diabetes, stroke, cognition changes, pancreatitis, seizures, myocardial infarctions

Antidepressants (SSRIs)

Heart problems, bleeding, sexual dysfunction, withdrawal, suicide risk, photosensitivity, bone fractures

A few, so far...Alprazolam: anxiolytic, benzodiazepine (Xanax)

Citalopram: antidepressant SSRI (Celexa)

Risperidone: antipsychotic (Risperidal)

Olanzapine: atypical antipsychotic (Zyprexa, Lanzek)

Clomipramine: tricyclic antidepressant (Anafranil, Clofranil)

Pagoclone (zopiclone): anxiolytic

ResearchCase studies: single/few patients followed closely

Large trials: lots of patients, control groups

Anecdotal: “Hey guys it worked for me!”

Pagoclone is currently undergoing trials specifically for stuttering/fluency enhancement

Research is for TREATMENT, not CURES (Maguire et al)

Gerald Maguire

Anecdotal Reports

Change in mood/emotional states

Change in fluency

Side effects

Permanency

http://medsforstuttering.blogspot.com/

Read More/Referenceshttp://www.stutteringhelp.org/alprazolam-citalopram-and-clomipramine-stuttering

https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/journal/osborne5/drugs.ppt

http://www.naturaltherapyforstuttering.com/stuttering-medications.html

http://medsforstuttering.blogspot.com/