Antidepressants Flashcards
What are the three hypothesis’ That have been proposed for pathogenesis of depression
- Decreased level or function of monoamines (NE, DA, 5-HT) in cortical lambic system
- Decrease in brain derived neurotrophic factor
- Abnormalities in HPA axis, thyroid function and sex steroid levels
Classify antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
- atypical anti-depressants
- MAO-A inhibitors
Name tricyclic antidepressants
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Nortriptyline
- Trimipramine
- Imipramine
- Doxepin
- Desipramine
- Dothiepin
- Protriptyline
- clomipramine
Name selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Fluoxetine
- fluvoxamine
- citalopram
- escitalopram
- sertraline
- peroxentine
- dapoxetine
Name serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
- Duloxetine
- venlafaxine
Name atypical antidepressants
- Trazodone
- mirtazapine
- Bupropion
- Mianserin
- Atomixetine
Name MAO-A inhibitors
- Moclobemide
- Clorgyline
What are the adverse effects of tricyclic antidepressants
- Atropine like side effects (Dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, Urinary retention)
- alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects (Tachycardia, arrhythmias, postural hypotension)
- H-1 blocking effects (sedation and confusion)
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- May precipitate convulsions
What are the contraindications of tricyclic antidepressant
- Glaucoma
- epilepsy
- ischaemic heart disease
- enlarged prostate
What is the mechanism of action of serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Block serotonin transporter by blocking it’s reuptake. This increases the availability of serotonin at the receptors
Which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors produce active metabolites
Fluoxetine
sertraline
What is the longest acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor? What is it half life
Fluoxetine.
48 to 72 hours
What are the adverse effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- G.I. symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea)
- headache, insomnia
- sexual disfunction, impotence, loss of libido
- inhibit drug metabolizing enzymes
- Drug interactions
Which SSRIs Have less potential for drug interactions
Sertraline
citalopram
escitalopram
Why are the adverse effects of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
- Nausea, sweating, sexual disfunction, anxiety
- Hypertension
What is the MAO of SNRIs 
Inhibitory uptake of serotonin and noradrenaline into the neuron
Which Atypical antidepressant inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine in the neuron?
Bupropion
Which a typical antidepressant is useful for smoking sensation
Bupropion
What are the adverse effects of bupropion
Dry mouth, tremor, sweating, convulsions
What is the mechanism of action of mirtazapine
- Blocks alpha-2 auto receptors
- Blocks hetero receptors on 5HT neurons
- Increases norepinephrine and 5HT release
- Blocks H-1 receptors
Which atypical antidepressant may cause weight gain and sedation
Mirtazapine
What is the mechanism of action of trazodone
- Blocks 5HT reuptake
- 5HT-2 antagonist
- blocks alpha-1 receptors
What are the adverse effects of trazodone
- Sedation
- hypotension
- priapism (painful erection of penis)
What is the mechanism of action of mianserin
Increases norepinephrine release by blocking presynaptic alpha-2 receptors
What are the side effects of mianserin
- Can cause seizures
- antianxiety action
- anticholinergic
- cardiac side effects
- causes sedation
What are the two types of MAO inhibitors and what is their selectivity
MAO-A : Metabolism of norepinephrine, serotonin, tyramine
MAO-B: metabolism of dopamine
What is moclobemide
Selective and reversible inhibitor of MAO-A
What is the interaction between tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors
- Hypertensive crisis
- hyperpyrexia
- Coma
- convulsions 
What is the interaction between TCA and alcohol
Potentiation of CNS depressant effects
When SSRI and MAO inhibitors are given together it causes serotonin syndrome which is increased serotonin what are the undesirable effects
- Coma
- tremor
- restlessness
- muscle rigidity
- hyperthermia
- sweating, shivering
- seizures
The metabolism of which drugs is inhibited by SSRIs 
- TCAs
- antipsychotics
- Beta blockers
- phenytoin
- carbamazepine
- Others
What is cheese reaction
It’s when MAO inhibitors are taken by a patient and they consume food rich in tyramine this causes fatal hypertensive crisis and cerebrovascular accidents.
How do you treat cheese reactions
IV Phentolamine
Why are SSRIs preferred over TCAs
- Better tolerance
- less side effects
- longer duration of action
Which drugs can be used in OCD
Clomipramine
fluvoxamine
Which drugs can be used in ADHD
- TCAs
- Atomoxetine
- Methylphenidate
- Dextroamphetamine
Which drug is used in nocturnal enuresis
Imipramine
Which drug is used in the prophylaxis of migraine
Amitriptyline
Which drugs are useful in chronic pain inducing neuroglias
- TCAs are effective in trigeminal, herpetic, post-herpetic neuralgias
- Venlafaxine and duloxetine Used in the treatment of fibromyalgia
Which drugs are useful for atopic dermatitis
Topical doxepin
Which drugs are used for premature ejaculations
SSRIs and TCAs 
What are the uses of antidepressants
- Depression
- anti-anxiety
- OCD
- ADHD
- nocturnal enuresis
- prophylaxis of migraine
- chronic pain inducing neuroglias
- Atopic dermatitis
- premature ejaculation