ear gina olinger,

There is a Web site, http://www.drugs.com that gives in-depth information about pills, as well as the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) which you can use to research the drugs, and is available in the reference section of many public libraries.  I would definitely use the PDR in addition to the Web site.

The Web site I mention has an A to Z Drug List, and an Interactions Checker.

It is my desire to be on the least amount of drugs, and the lowest effective doses or the acceptable maintenance dose.

However, in your individual situation, you may need all of the drugs, or at least more than one drug, to do the job effectively based on the symptoms you present and the kind of relief you'd like to have in your life.

To be honest, I have to say that it could be possible a patient is put on a new drug as a result of a cross titer from an old drug, yet remains on the old drug indefinitely. 

If you have a good rapport with your psychiatrist (and even if you don't), you have to discuss your concerns at the next meeting.  If yor doctor brushes you off, it could be time for a second opinion.  I know of one person with schizophrenia who sees a regular doctor, and uses a back-up doctor occasionally for a second opinion.

To wrap up, I want you also to know that some people take even more pills than you do each day, and that seems to work for them.

I would research the drugs using the methods I described, and then talk to your doctor.

Best regards,

Chri