308 Core Drugs - Psychiatry

Question 1

What is Aripiprazole?

Answer 1

an atypical antipsychotic used to treat mania in bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia (also irritability associated with autism, and Tourette’s syndrome)

Question 2

Drug action - Aripiprazole

Answer 2

Aripiprazole is a dopamine D2 partial agonist with weak 5-HT1a partial agonism and 5-HT2A receptor antagonism.

Question 3

Aripiprazole Side Effects

Answer 3

Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, excess saliva/drooling, blurred vision, weight gain, constipation, headache, and trouble sleeping

Question 4

What is Clozapine?

Answer 4

Clozapine is a psychiatric medication and is the first atypical antipsychotic. Used to treat severe schizophrenia symptoms in people who have not responded to other medications.

Question 5

Drug action - Clozapine

Answer 5

The mechanism by which clozapine exerts its effects involves the blocking of 5-HT2A/5-HT2C serotonin receptors and the D1-4 dopamine receptors, with the highest affinity for the D4 dopamine receptor.

Question 6

Clozapine Side Effects (serious one)

Answer 6

Clozapine can cause agranulocytoisis, which destroys the white blood cells and causes falls in blood pressure, convulsions, diabetes and weight gain. Patients must have regular blood tests while taking it.

Question 7

Clozapine Side Effects (more common ones)

Answer 7

weight gain;
dizziness, tremor;
fast heart rate;
headache, drowsiness;
nausea, constipation;
dry mouth, or increased salivation;
vision problems; or.
fever, increased sweating.

Question 8

What is Haloperidol?

Answer 8

Haloperidol is a high potency first-generation (typical) antipsychotic. Used to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses, as well as symptoms of agitation, irritability, and delirium.

Question 9

Drug action - Haloperidol

Answer 9

While the exact mechanism is not entirely understood, haloperidol is known to inhibit the effects of dopamine and increase its turnover.

Question 10

Haloperidol Side Effects

Answer 10

dry mouth.
increased saliva.
blurred vision.
loss of appetite.
constipation.
diarrhea.
heartburn.
nausea.

Question 11

What is Lurasidone?

Answer 11

an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In bipolar it may be used together with a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproate

Question 12

Drug action - Lurasidone

Answer 12

Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is a D2 and 5-HT2A (mixed serotonin and dopamine activity) to improve cognition. It is thought that antagonism of serotonin receptors can improve negative symptoms of psychoses and reduce the extrapyramidal side effects that are often associated with typical antipsychotics.

Question 13

Lurasidone Side Effects

Answer 13

Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, shaking, weight gain, mask-like facial expression, inability to keep still, and agitation may occur.

Question 14

What is Olanzapine?

Answer 14

an atypical antipsychotic primarily used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Question 15

Drug action - Olanzapine

Answer 15

The mechanism of action of olanzapine, as with other drugs having efficacy in schizophrenia, is unknown. It may involve antagonism of dopamine and serotonin receptors.

Question 16

Olanzapine Side Effects

Answer 16

dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance.
restlessness.
unusual behavior.
depression.
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
weakness.
difficulty walking.
constipation.

Question 17

What is Paliperidone?

Answer 17

Paliperidone is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and other similar conditions

Question 18

Drug action - Paliperidone

Answer 18

Paliperidone is the major active metabolite of risperidone. The mechanism of action of paliperidone, as with other drugs having efficacy in schizophrenia, is unknown, but it has been proposed that the drug’s therapeutic activity in schizophrenia is mediated through a combination of central dopamine Type 2 (D2) and serotonin Type 2 (5HT2A) receptor antagonism.

Question 19

Paliperidone Side Effects

Answer 19

Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, drooling, stomach/abdominal pain, weight gain, or tiredness may occur.

Question 20

What is Quetiapine?

Answer 20

an atypical antipsychotic medication used for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

Question 21

Drug action - Quetiapine

Answer 21

Although the mechanism of action of quetiapine is not fully understood, several proposed mechanisms exist. In schizophrenia, its actions could occur from the antagonism of dopamine type 2 (D2) and serotonin 2A (5HT2A) receptors. In bipolar depression and major depression, quetiapine’s actions may be attributed to the binding of this drug or its metabolite to the norepinephrine transporter.

Question 22

Quetiapine Side Effects

Answer 22

Most common = sleepy or dizzy, headache, and increased weight.

Question 23

Quetiapine - warning in young/younger adults

Answer 23

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors warning: During the first few months of treatment, quetiapine may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults.

Question 24

What is Risperidone?

Answer 24

an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Question 25

Drug action - Risperidone

Answer 25

The primary action of risperidone is to decrease dopaminergic and serotonergic pathway activity in the brain, therefore decreasing symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders.

Question 26

Risperidone Side Effects

Answer 26

agitation, akathisia, anxiety, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dystonia, extrapyramidal reaction, nausea, rhinitis, and weight gain.

Question 27

What is Amitriptyline?

Answer 27

a tricyclic antidepressant

Question 28

Drug action - Amitriptyline

Answer 28

unknown exact action but Amitriptyline increases noradrenergic or serotonergic neurotransmission by blocking the norepinephrine or serotonin transporter (NET or SERT) at presynaptic terminals.

Question 29

Amitriptyline Side Effects

Answer 29

constipation, diarrhea; nausea, vomiting, upset stomach; mouth pain, unusual taste, black tongue; appetite or weight changes; urinating less than usual; itching or rash; breast swelling (in men or women); or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Question 30

What is Citalopram?

Answer 30

Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used in the treatment of depression.

Question 31

Drug action - Citalopram

Answer 31

The mechanism of action of citalopram results from its inhibition of CNS neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT)

Question 32

Citalopram Side Effects

Answer 32

problems with memory or concentration; headache, drowsiness; dry mouth, increased sweating; numbness or tingling; increased appetite, nausea, diarrhea, gas; fast heartbeats, feeling shaky; sleep problems (insomnia), feeling tired; cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; changes in weight; or difficulty having an orgasm.

Question 33

What is Duloxetine?

Answer 33

Duloxetine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SSNRI).

Question 34

Drug action - Duloxetine

Answer 34

Duloxetine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine (NE) in the central nervous system

Question 35

What is Fluoxetine?

Answer 35

Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant known as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). It is often used to treat depression, and also sometimes obsessive compulsive disorder and bulimia.

Question 36

What is Mirtazapine?

Answer 36

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant medicine. It’s used to treat depression and sometimes obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders

Question 37

Drug action - Mirtazapine

Answer 37

Mirtazapine is a presynaptic alpha2-adrenoreceptor antagonist which increases central noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission.

Question 38

Fluoxetine Side Effects

Answer 38

feeling sick (nausea)
headaches
being unable to sleep
diarrhoea
feeling tired or weak

Question 39

Mirtazapine Side Effects

Answer 39

dry mouth
increased appetite and weight gain
headaches
feeling sleepy
constipation

Question 40

Duloxetine Side Effects

Answer 40

difficulty sleeping
headaches
feeling dizzy
blurred vision
constipation or diarrhoea
feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
dry mouth
sweating
tiredness
less appetite than usual and weight loss
feeling less interested in sex, or having problems keeping an erection or reaching orgasm

Question 41

What is Sertraline?

Answer 41

Sertraline is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

It’s often used to treat depression, and also sometimes panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Question 42

Sertraline Side Effects

Answer 42

Feeling sick
Headaches
Being unable to sleep
Feeling sleepy
Diarrhoea
Dry mouth
Dizziness
Feeling tired or weak

Question 43

What is Venlafaxine?

Answer 43

Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor among others, is an antidepressant medication of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class. It is used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia. It may also be used for chronic pain

Question 44

Venlafaxine Side Effects

Answer 44

feeling sick.
headaches.
sweating.
dry mouth.
trouble sleeping.
feeling dizzy.
feeling sleepy.
constipation.

Question 45

What is Lithium?

Answer 45

Lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser. It’s used to treat mood disorders such as: mania (feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted) hypo-mania (similar to mania, but less severe) regular periods of depression, where treatment with other medicines has not worked

Question 46

Lithium Side Effects

Answer 46

The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth. Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood. The results will be recorded in your lithium record book

Question 47

Lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser.

It’s used to treat mood disorders such as:

Answer 47

mania (feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted)
hypo-mania (similar to mania, but less severe)
regular periods of depression, where treatment with other medicines has not worked
bipolar disorder, where your mood changes between feeling very high (mania) and very low (depression)

Question 48

Common side effects of lithium

Answer 48

feeling sick (nausea)
diarrhoea
a dry mouth and/or a metallic taste in the mouth
feeling thirsty and needing to drink more and pee more than usual
slight shaking of the hands (mild tremor)
feeling tired or sleepy
weight gain (this is likely to be very gradual)

Question 49

Serious side effects of lithium

Answer 49

The level of lithium in your blood is checked regularly. But rarely, you may get side effects because there’s too much lithium in your blood.
- loss of appetite, feeling or being sick (vomiting)
problems with your eyesight (blurred vision)
feeling very thirsty, needing to pee more than normal, and lack of control over pee or poo
feeling lightheaded or drowsy
confusion and blackouts
shaking, muscle weakness, muscle twitches, jerks or spasms affecting the face, tongue, eyes or neck
difficulty speaking
These are signs of lithium toxicity. Lithium toxicity is an emergency. Stop taking lithium straight away.

Question 50

What is Diazepam?

Answer 50

Diazepam, first marketed as Valium, is a medicine of the benzodiazepine family that acts as an anxiolytic

Question 51

Diazepam Side Effects

Answer 51

drowsiness.
dizziness.
tiredness.
muscle weakness.
headache.
dry mouth.
nausea.
constipation.