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Psychiatry Pharmacology > Antidepressants > Flashcards

Antidepressants Flashcards

1
Q

Name the major classes of antidepressants (there are 4)

A

SSRIs, Heterocyclic antidepressants (TCAs and tetracyclics), MAOIs, and miscellaneous

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2
Q

How many patients respond to an antidepressant?

A

Approximately 60-70% of patients will respond to an antidepressant

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3
Q

How long does it take for antidepressants to start working?

A

Most require a trial of 3-4 weeks for any effect. Some people require as little as 1-2 weeks, some require 6-8 weeks for significant improvement

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4
Q

What symptoms are present in withdrawal phenomenon? (Name 5)

A

Dizziness, headaches, nausea, insomnia, malaise

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5
Q

How can we prevent withdrawal phenomenon?

A

Depending on dose, and half-life, may need to taper antidepressants when discontinuing use

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6
Q

In general, what factors should we consider in choosing an antidepressant?

A

Patient’s particular symptoms, previous treatment responses by the patient or a family member to a particular medication, side-effect profile, comorbid conditions, risk of suicide via overdose on the medication, and cost

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7
Q

How do SSRIs work?

A

SSRIs inhibit presynaptic serotonin pumps that take up serotonin, leading to increased availability of serotonin in synaptic clefts. Additionally, SSRIs cause downstream effects increasing brain plasticity - may be why the onset of antidepressant effect is delayed

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8
Q

How often should SSRIs be dosed?

A

SSRIs can be dosed daily; fluoxetine can be dosed weekly

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9
Q

Advantages of SSRIs (name 3)

A

Low incidence of side effects, most of which resolve with time, no food restrictions, and much safer in overdose

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10
Q

Name the common SSRIs (there are 6)

A

Fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, and escitalopram

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11
Q

Fluoxetine - trade name is:

A

Prozac

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12
Q

What is unique about fluoxetine’s half-life

A

Longest half-life with active metabolites; no need to taper

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13
Q

Who can use fluoxetine?

A

Fluoxetine is safe in pregnancy, and is approved for use in children and adolescents

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14
Q

Common side effects of fluoxetine include: (name 3)

A

Insomnia, anxiety, sexual dysfunction

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15
Q

Fluoxetine + antipsychotics = ?

A

Fluoxetine can elevate levels of antipsychotics, leading to increased side effects

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16
Q

Sertraline - trade name is:

A

Zoloft

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17
Q

Fluoxetine - type of drug?

A

SSRI

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18
Q

Sertraline - type of drug?

A

SSRI

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19
Q

Side effects of sertraline include: (name 4)

A

GI disturbances, insomnia, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction

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20
Q

Paroxetine - trade name is:

A

Paxil

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21
Q

Paroxetine - type of drug?

A

SSRI

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22
Q

Does sertraline have few or many drug interactions?

A

Very few

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23
Q

Does paroxetine have few or many drug interactions? Why?

A

Many, because paroxetine is highly protein-bound

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24
Q

Common side effects of paroxetine: (name 4)

A

Anticholinergic effects (sedation, weight gain, constipation), and sexual dysfunction

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25
Is the half-life of paroxetine short or long?
Short. Can lead to withdrawal phenomena if not taken consistently
26
Fluvoxamine: trade name
Luvox
27
Fluvoxamine: type of drug?
SSRI
28
Fluvoxamine is used in what psychiatric condition?
Currently, fluvoxamine is only approved for treatment of OCD
29
Fluvoxamine common side effects: (name 2)
Nausea and vomiting
30
Does fluvoxamine have few or multiple drug interactions? Why?
Multiple, due to CYP inhibition
31
Citalopram: trade name
Celexa
32
Does citalopram have few or multiple drug interactions?
Fewest drug-drug interactions of the SSRIs
33
Citalopram: type of drug?
SSRI
34
What effect does citalopram have on an EKG?
Dose-dependent QTc prolongation
35
Escitalopram: trade name
Lexapro
36
What effect does escitalopram have on an EKG?
Dose-dependent QTc prolongation
37
Escitalopram: type of drug?
SSRI
38
How does escitalopram differ from citalopram?
Escitalopram is the levo-enantiomer of citalopram; it has similar efficacy, and possibly fewer side effects
39
Why do SSRIs have fewer side effects than TCAs and MAOIs?
SSRIs have serotonin selectivity (they do not act on histamine, adrenergic, or muscarinic receptors)
40
Common side effects of SSRIs include: (name 10)
GI disturbance (nausea and diarrhea, give with food), insomnia, vivid dreams, headache, anorexia, weight loss, sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia, delayed ejaculation --> typically do not resolve), restlessness, hyponatremia, seizures
41
Name the symptoms of serotonin syndrome
Fever, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, delirium, and neuromuscular excitability (especially hyperreflexia and "electric jolt" limb movements), potentially --> death
42
What causes serotonin syndrome?
Taking two medications, both of which increase serotonin, leading to too much serotonin in the brain
43
Venlafaxine: type of drug
SNRI
44
SNRI stands for:
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
45
Venlafaxine: trade name
Effexor
46
Venlafaxine: uses (name 3)
Depression, anxiety disorders (GAD), and neuropathic pain
47
Potential to for drug interaction with venlafaxine is high or low?
Low
48
Side effects of SNRIs
Similar to SSRIs: GI disturbance, insomnia, vivid dreams, headache, anorexia, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, restlessness, hyponatremia, seizures? Increased blood pressure at higher doses
49
Desvenlafaxine: type of drug
SNRI
50
Desvenlafaxine: trade name
Pristiq
51
How does desvenlafaxine differs from venlafaxine?
Desvenlafaxine is the active metabolite of venlafaxine. It is expensive and without known benefit over venlafaxine
52
Duloxetine: type of drug
SNRI
53
Duloxetine: trade name
Cymbalta
54
Duloxetine: uses (name 3)
Depression, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia
55
Side effects:
Similar to SSRIs (GI disturbance, insomnia, vivid dreams, headache, anorexia, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, restlessness, hyponatremia, seizures?), more dry mouth and constipation relating to its norepinephrine effects. Hepatotoxicity may be more likely in patients with liver disease or heavy alcohol use. Expensive.
56
Buproprion: type of drug
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor
57
Buproprion: trade name
Wellbutrin
58
How do the side effects of buproprion differ from the SSRIs?
Buproprion has a relative lack of sexual side effects
59
Buproprion: uses (name 2)
Adult ADHD, smoking cessation
60
Buproprion side effects (name 3)
Increased anxiety, increased risk of seizures and psychosis at high doses
61
Buproprion contraindicated in who? (name 3)
Patients with seizure or active eating disorders, and in those currently on an MAOI
62
Trazodone: type of drug
Serotonin receptor antagonists and agonists
63
Trazodone: trade name
Desyrel
64
Nafazodone: type of drug
Serotonin receptor antagonists and agonists
65
Nafazodone: trade name
Serzone
66
Trazodone and nafazodone: uses (name 3)
Major depression, major depression with anxiety, and insomnia (secondary to its sedative effects)
67
Trazodone and nefazodone differ from side effects of SSRIs how?
Trazodone and nefazodone do not have the sexual effects of SSRIs, and do not affect REM sleep
68
Side effects of trazodone and nefazodone include: (name 6)
Nausea, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, sedation, and priapism (especially with trazodone)
69
Trazodone is not frequently used soley as an antidepressant. Why?
It causes orthostatic hypotension in higher doses
70
Most common use for trazodone?
Used to treat insomnia when initiating an SSRI (until insomnia improves as the depression resolves)
71
Nefazodone carries a Black Box warning for what?
Nefazodone can rarely cause serious liver failure (1 per 250,000-300,000 people) and is rarely used
72
Mirtazapine: type of drug
Alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist
73
Mirtazapine: trade name
Remeron
74
Mirtazapine: uses
Major depression, especially in patients who have significant weight loss and/or insomnia
75
Mirtazapine: side effects: (name 7)
Sedation, weight gain, dizziness, tremor, dry mouth, constipation, and (rarely) agranulocytosis.
76
Mirtazapine has fewer or greater sexual side effects compared to SSRIs?
Fewer
77
Mirtazapine has few or many drug interactions?
Few

Psychiatry Pharmacology (2 decks)

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