Ch 15 drugs relieving anxiety & promoting sleep Flashcards
What does the amygdala do?
It receives incoming sensory signals & then communicates with the frontal lobe of the brain.
The amygdala can signal the brain that a threat is present & set off a fear response or anxiety.
What system in the brain is responsible for emotion?
The limbic system located in the middle of the brain.
It is known to be primarily responsible for emotions; anxiety, restlessness, expression,learning and memory.
What is the hippocampus responsible for?
The hippocampus is responsible for processing threatening or traumatic stimuli.
How does the brain send its messages to the brain?
The brain sends its messages to the body by way of the nervous system.
What is GAD?
Excessive anxiety lasting more than 6 months.
What does stage 1 of sleep include?
Stage 1 consists of light sleep; brain waves are irregular & rapid.
What does stage 2 of sleep consist of?
In stage 2 brain waves are larger than stage 1; with bursts of electrical activity.
What does stages 3&4 of sleep consist of?
Deep sleep; with even larger, slower brain waves called delta waves.
Narcolepsy
Sudden irresistible sleep attacks of unknown origin lasting from seconds to minutes; 2-6 times per day.
Drugs to treat anxiety & insomnia.
Antidepressants (Lexapro) Benzodiazepines ( Ativan) Barbituates ( phenobarbital) Non- benzodiazepines, non barbituates, CNS depressants (Ambien) Anti seizure Beta blockers
What are the 2 major categories of mood disorders?
Depression: characterized by a sad or despondent mood.
Bipolar disorder: alternating between depression & mania.
Name antidepressant drugs.
TCA’s
SSRI’s
SNRI’s
MAOI’s
What are drugs that treat bipolar disorders?
Lithium
Anti seizure drugs ( tegretol, lamictal, depakene)
atypical antipsychotic drugs ( Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal)
What are sedatives?
Medications that depress the CNS (lower dose of antidepressants) EX: benzodiazepines (lorazepam/ Ativan) Non benzodiazepines ( zolpidem/ Ambian Barbituates ( pentobarbital/ Nembutal) Antihistamines ( diphenhydramine/ Benadryl) OTHERS: choral hydrate, alcohol, herbals
What are hypnotics?
Medications that induce sleep.
same meds at a higher dose
In severe stress & many mood & anxiety related disorders; what is true of serotonin?
Serotonin levels are LOW.
What are the 5 types of SSRI drugs?
fluoxetine ( Prozac) sertraline ( Zoloft) citalopram ( Celexa) paroxetine ( Paxil) escitalopram (Lexapro)
What is true of SSRI’s?
SSRI’s are the 1st choice for treating depression.
Preferred over TCA’s & MAOI’s because they can cause less side effects.
What is the prototype drug of SSRI’s
Sertraline ( Zoloft)
What core drug knowledge regarding sertraline ( Zoloft)needs to be addressed.
Treatment of depression , anxiety and PTSD.
Administered: orally
Metabolized: in the liver
Steady state: 7 days ( requires close monitoring of pt’s with liver failure)
10 days to 4 week to take effect & months to have a minimum therapeutic effect.
What are contraindications, adverse effects and drug interactions of sertraline?
Contraindicated in patients with decreased liver function
Adverse effects: GI distress, headache, fatigue, insomnia, & sexual dysfunction.
Administration with highly protein bound drugs.
What are the core pt. variables of sertraline?
Health status: past medical, including drug use & physical assessment
Life span & gender: pregnancy category C
can affect sexual function
Assess cultural background
TCA’s
Another class of antidepressants
Are as effective as SSRI’s in treating most anxiety disorders
TCA’s work by affecting the regulation of serotonin or norepinephrine in the brain
TCA’s have higher adverse effects than SSRI’s which limits their use as antidepressants
We’re named for their molecular structure
Very narrow therapeutic index
All tricyclics enhance the activity of norepinephrine & serotonin by blocking neuronal reuptake of these neurotransmitters.
What is the prototype drug of TCA’s?
nortiptyline (Pamelor)
Name some TCA medications
amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) amoxapine clomipramine (Asendin) desipramine ( Norpramin, Pertofrane) doxepine imipramine (Adapin, Simequan) Tofranil nortiptyline ( Pamelor, Aventyl) protriptyline ( Vivactil) trimipramine ( Surmontil)
What is the core drug knowledge of nortiptyline?(TCA)
Used to treat depression & chronic pain Administered: orally Metabolized: in the liver Peak: 2-4 hours Specifically blocks reuptake of norepinephrine into nerve terminals, thereby allowing increased concentration at post synaptic effector sites.
Y
What are contraindications, adverse effects & drug interactions of nortiptyline?
nortiptyline is contraindicated in clients with cardiovascular disorders
Adverse effects include: disturbed concentration and confusion, headache, tremors, nausea, vomiting, bone marrow depression, urinary retention and sexual disturbances. It has multiple drug interactions.
How can a nurse maximize therapeutic effects of nortiptyline?
Monitor blood plasma drug levels
A single dose @ bedtime may be used
How can a nurse minimize adverse effects of nortiptyline?
May need to dose the the drug 2x per day to avoid adverse effects
Older adults should receive a smaller initial dose.
MAOI’s
Oldest class of antidepressants Occasionally prescribed for panic disorder & social phobia Monoamine oxidase is the enzyme that degrades serotonin into the synapse. By inhibiting the enzyme, higher levels of serotonin can remain in the synapse and be active.