Antidepressants Flashcards
MoA of agomelatine
Agonist of melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors (antagonism at 5-HT2c receptors)
MoA of TCAs
Blocks transporters such that monoamines do not undergo reuptake. This allows for more of the monoamines to stay within the synapse.
Adverse effects of MAOIs
postural hypotension (accumulation of dopamine)
restlessness and insomnia (CNS stimulation)
serotonin syndrome
Drug interactions of MAOIs
Cheese effect
tyramine accumulation
serotonin syndrome with serotonin and NA reuptake inhibitors
Symptoms of depression:
Misery, apathy, pessimism Low self esteem Indecisiveness, loss of motivation retardation of thought and action loss of libido Sleep disturbances and loss of appetite
What is the monoamine theory:
Deficits in monoamine neurotransmitters cause depression
- from the observation of reserpine which inhibits NA and serotonin storage
MoA of MAOIs:
Increase biological availability of monoamines
Example of MAOIs:
Phenelzine
Moclobemide
Drug interactions involved with MAOIs
Other drugs enhancing serotoninergic function
Cheeses and concentrated yeast products
Describe Monoamine Theory
- Theory about the cause of depression. It explains that depression is caused by deficits in monoamine neurotransmitters (NE and 5-HT)
- Observed from Reserpine which inhibits NE and 5-HT storage
Limitations of monoamine theory
- Inconsistent results
- Alone is inadequate to explain pharmacological actions in depression
- Originally formulated for NE but shifted later to 5-HT
Main enzyme which breaks down 5-HT and NA respectively
5-HT: MAO-A
NA: Both MAO-A and MAO-B
What class of drug is Phenelzine under? Describe its MoA and selectivity
- MAOI
- Non-selective
- Irreversible MAO inhibitor preventing breakdown of 5-HT and NA
AE of MAOIs and their causes
- Postural hypotension (by dopamine accumulation in cervical ganglia)
- Restlessness and insomnia due to CNS stimulation by NA (sympathetic stimulation)
- Hyperexcitability, increased muscular tone, myoclonus, lose consciousness
(due to enhancing serotoningeric function when combined with other drugs)
Type of food that interacts with MAOIs and hence limits the use of MAOIs
Concentrated yeast products (e.g. marmite) and cheese (acute hypertension)
Describe the Drug-food interaction with tyramine and MAOI
- MAO both breaks down ingested tyramine in intestines/liver, and also NA/Dopamine
- When MAOI taken, tyramine not broken down, accumulates
- Accumluated tyramine displaces NA out of vesicles in nerve terminals, cause increased NA release into synapse (hence tyramine is sympathomimetic)
- Due to MAOI, released NA is not broken down
- Causes excessive sympathetic stimulation
- Resultant effect: acute hypertension, headache, intracranial haemorrhage (hypertensive crisis)