Antidepressant Agents Flashcards
What does Antidepressant agents do?
They block the ability of the neurotransmitter to go into the nerve. This increases the levels of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft which has therapeutic effect on the patient.
What are the suffixes of Tricyclic Antidepressants?
“Triptyline” & “Pramine”
Amitriptyline Trimipramine
Nortriptyline Imipramine
And outlier drug : Doxepin
What are the names of the generic drugs classified as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors?
Isocarboxazid
Phenelzine
Tranylcypromine
Selegiline
(transdermal)
What are the suffixes of the drugs within the drug class Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors?
“Italopram” “Oxetine”
Citalopram Fluoxetine
Escitalopram Paroxetine
Outlier is : Sertraline
What is the suffix of the drug class Serotonin Norepinephrine Inhibitors?
Desvenlafaxine
Venlafaxine
Outlier is : Duloxetine
what drug class is Duloxetine as part of?
Serotonin Norepinephrine Inhibitors
What drug class is Isocarboxazid and Phenelzine a part of?
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
What drug class is Sertraline a part of?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors
How does MAOI’s / Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors work?
Irreversibly inhibit MAO - which allows norepinephrine, Serotonin and dopamine to accumulate in the synaptic cleft.
What is MAO?
Monoamine Oxidase. An enzyme found in the brain and which is thought to be a cause of some types of depression. MAO removes many chemicals from the brain, including serotonin, a chemical that can help people sustain a positive mood.
What would a patient take Phenelzine for?
For depression if no other antidepressants are working. Phenelzine is a MAOI which are not a first choice due to its side effects.
If a patient is on MAOI’s what type of food do they need to avoid?
Food that contain Tyramine. Aged cheeses and meat, soy sauce, red wine.
Tyramine combined with MAOI’s increases hypertensive crisis risk.
What is a Hypertensive crisis?
A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading is usually above 180/120
Why would a patient be taking Fluoxetine?
Depression, OCD, Panic Attacks, Bulimia, PMDD, PTSD, Social phobias and anxiety.
Fluoxetine is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitor.
Why would a patient be taking Duloxetine?
Depression, Nerve pain (Neuropathic pain), Fibromyalgia (a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the body) & Anxiety.
Duloxetine is a Selective Norepinephrine Inhibitor.
Why would a patient be taking Doxepin?
Sleep disorders, Depression, Enuresis, Anxiety and Chronic Pain.
Doxepin is a Tricyclic Antidepressant.
How does Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors work?
By specifically blocking the CNS neuronal uptake of Serotonin. The drugs have little to no known effect of Norepinephrine. The drugs have fever adverse effects due to this fact.
How does Serotonin Norepinephrine Inhibitors work?
Decreases neuronal uptake of BOTH serotonin and norepinephrine and more weakly inhibit dopamine uptake.
How does Tricyclic Antidepressants work?
Reduces uptake of both Serotonin and Norepinephrine into the nerves.
What Antidepressant comes in nasal spray form?
Esketamine
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Low Energy Level
Sleep Disturbances
Altered appetite
Altered Libido
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Overwhelming feelings of sadness, despair, hopelessness and disorganization.
What causes depression?
Lack of Norepinephrine, Dopamine and Serotonin.
Monoamine Oxidase may be one of the reasons for this as it breaks them down to be recycled or stored in the neuron.
Rapid fire of neurons may lead to depletion
Number or sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors may increase and deplete neurotransmitter levels.
How are some ways Antidepressants work?
Inhibit the effects of MAO, leading to increased NE or 5HT
in the synaptic cleft
Block reuptake by the releasing nerve, leading to
increased neurotransmitter levels in the synaptic cleft
Regulate receptor sites and breakdown of
neurotransmitters, leading to an accumulation of
neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft
Which are the 5 classifications of Antidepressants?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
MAO inhibitors (MAOIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs)
“Others”
What would a patient be prescribed Tricyclic Antidepressants for?
For sleep disorders due to its sedative effect, Depression, Anxiety, Enuresis and Chronic pain
What would a patient be prescribed Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors for?
Depression when other antidepressants cannot be taken due to its adverse effects
What would a patient be prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for?
Depression, OCD, Panic Attack, Bulimia, PMDD, PSTD, Social phobia and anxiety
What would a patient be prescribed Serotonin Norepinephrine Inhibitors for?
Depression, Neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and anxiety.