Antidepressants 1 Flashcards
what are examples of TCAs?
imipramine and amitriptyline
more recent ones- clomipramine, dothiepin and lofepramine= fewer side effects
what are the 3 classes of drugs used to treat depression, mania?
Tricyclic antidepressants TCAs
monoamine oxidase inhibitors MOAIs
specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs
what is a benefit of TCAs?
they are the most efficacious at treating all forms of depression- mild to very severe
what is the mechanism of action of TCAs?
block reuptake of amines- NA and 5-HT
not very selective
their metabolites are active but sometimes have different selectivity
they cause increased functional availability of monoamines - in the synapse
this is the direct mode of action becaues other drugs can do the same but they are not antidepressants
what is the therapeutic delay of TCAs?
2-4 weeks
often get worse before getting better
what are TCAs thought to do ?
down regulate of receptors for various CNS neurotransmitters such as NA and 5-HT
beta receptors down regulated by most TCAs but this is unlikely to be the real MOA because beta blockers are not antidepressants
what are the effects of TCAs in man?
MOOD EFFECTS - only affect depressed patients, mood returns to normal after about 2-4 week delay
AUTONOMIC EFFECTS - these may cause a decrease in mood, fall in BP due to blocking alpha receptors, atropinic effects- blurred vision an dry mouth
SEDATION, HYPNOSIS- may be a benefit as depressed patients often suffer from a lack of sleep
CARDIOTOXICITY- tachycardia, dysrhythmia, important in overdose, nt just related to increased NA release
what are the CNS effects in acute overdose?
excitement delirium convulsions later coma, respiratory depression may take days to recover
what drugs do TCAs interact with ?
antihypertensives - need uptake system - alpha methyldopa
thryoid hormones potentiate TCAs
summation of MAOIs - none of these antidepressants can be taken together, especially not the TCAs with MAOIs and MAOIs with SSRIs
what are some examples of SSRIs ?
fluoxetine (prozac) citalopram paroxetine sertraline these are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants
what are the benefits of SSRIs compared to TCAs?
lower autonomic effects - atropinic
lower cardiovascular effects
lower acute toxicity
less sedation
what is delay caused by SSRIs?
2-4 week delat
they are all very similar and have some NA reuptake inhibtion
what are the side effects of SSRIs ?
nausea, anorexia insomnia , rather than sedation aggression and violence sexual dysfunction loss of libido failure to orgasm lower acute toxicity
what happens if you take an SSRI and a MAOI together ?
“serotonin syndrome”- excessive serotonin in CNS and PNS
causes tremors, CVS collapse, decrease in BP, hyperthermia and can be fatal
caused mainly by over stimulation of 5HT1A
where is MAO found?
they are intracellular found in mitochondria