[Lifestyle drugs in medicine]

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2008;158(3-4):110-5. doi: 10.1007/s10354-007-0473-z.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Lifestyle drugs have become an important new group of medications, which are taken by healthy people to increase the individual well-being and quality of life. Nootropics, psychopharmaceuticals, hormones and "ecodrugs" are today the main groups. The wish for eternal youth, beauty and potency is central, and lifestyle medications are also requested to influence cosmetic findings, which are usually simply a result of the natural aging process. Lifestyle drugs seem to be harmless, but the physician must pay attention to possible abuse, side effects, risks and complications. Additionally, however, lifestyle drugs are also frequently used by patients suffering from emotional disorders such as somatoform disorders. Medicalization of physiological life is then expected to solve psychosocial problems, but without success. The use of lifestyle medications in somatoform disorders is contraindicated and psychotherapy or psychopharmacological treatment come first. With this overview article, we would like to make an update of new lifestyle drugs.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Attitude to Health
  • Body Image
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Life Style*
  • Nootropic Agents / adverse effects
  • Nootropic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Somatoform Disorders / drug therapy
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Nootropic Agents
  • Psychotropic Drugs