22.2 Pharmacotherapy: Antidepressants Flashcards
Describe the onset of effects of antidepressants (2)
- relief of neuro-vegetative/physical symptoms: 1-3 wk
- relief of emotional/cognitive symptoms: 2-6 wk
Describe tapering of antidepressants (2)
- tapering of most antidepressants is usually required to avoid withdrawal reactions;
- speed of taper is based on the medication’s half-life and the patient’s individual sensitivity
Name an antidepressant that does not require a taper
fluoxetine does not require a taper due to its long half-life
Name antidepressants that require a slower taper than sertraline or citalopram
paroxetine and venlafaxine require a slower taper than sertraline or citalopram
Describe the treatment of bipolar depression with antidepressants (2)
- patients with bipolar disorder should only be treated with an antidepressant if combined with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic
- monotherapy with antidepressants is not advisable as the depression can switch to mania
Name examples of SSRIs (6)
- fluoxetine (Prozac®)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
- paroxetine (Paxil®)
- sertraline (Zoloft®)
- citalopram (Celexa®)
- escitalopram (Cipralex®)
Explain use of fluoxetine (Prozac®) (5)
Useful for
- typical and atypical depression
- seasonal depression
- anxiety disorders
- OCD
- eating disorders
Compare effectiveness of SSRIs (1)
All SSRIs have similar effectiveness but consider side effect profiles and half-lives
Name the SSRIs that have the fewest drug-interactions and are sleep-wake neutral (2)
Citalopram, and escitalopram
Name the safest SSRI in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Sertraline is the safest
Name the most activating SSRI (recommend taking in the AM)
Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
Name the most used SSRI in children
Fluoxetine is the most used in children as it has most evidence
Fluoxetine does not require a taper why?
due to long half-life
Describe: Fluvoxamine (Luvox®) (2)
- Fluvoxamine is sedating (should be taken in PM)
- can be involved in many drug-drug interactions
Name examples of SNRIs (3)
- venlafaxine (Effexor®)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®)
- duloxetine (Cymbalta®)
SNRIs are useful for what? (3)
Useful for depression, anxiety disorders, neuropathic pain
Name example norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors NDRI (1)
bupropion (Wellbutrin®)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin®) is useful for what? And not recommended for what? (2)
- Useful for depression, seasonal depression
- not recommended for anxiety disorder treatment because of stimulating effects
Name pros and cons of Wellbutrin (2)
- Causes less sexual dysfunction (may reverse effects of SSRIs/SNRIs), weight gain, and sedation
- Increased risk of seizures at higher doses
Name contraindications of wellbutrin (5)
Contraindicated with
- history of seizure
- stroke
- brain tumour
- brain injury
- closed head injury
Name examples tricyclic antidepressants (3º Amines) (2)
- amitriptyline (Elavil®)
- imipramine (Tofranil®)
Name TCA (3º Amines) useful for OCD (1)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Describe: TCA (3º Amines) (5)
- Useful for OCD (clomipramine)
- melancholic depression
- requires ECG monitoring
- check blood levels if using higher dosage
- highly lethal in overdose
Name examples TCA (2º Amines) (2)
- nortriptyline (Aventyl®)
- desipramine (Norpramin®)
Describe TCA (2º Amines) (4)
- Preferred to tertiary amines because of lower propensity for anticholinergic adverse effects
- requires ECG monitoring
- check blood levels if using higher dosage
- highly lethal in overdose
Name examples of monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOI (2)
- phenelzine (Nardil®)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
Describe monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOI (2)
- Useful for moderate/severe depression that does not respond to other antidepressants, atypical depression;
- requires strict adherence to MAOI diet
Name example reversible inhibition of MAO-A (RIMA) (1)
moclobemide (Manerix®)
Describe use: Reversible inhibition of MAO-A (RIMA) (1)
Useful for depression that does not respond to other antidepressants
Describe example: Noradrenergic and specific serotonin antagonists (NASSA) (3)
Useful in depression with prominent features
- insomnia
- agitation
- cachexia