Chap 16 Psychotherapeutic Drugs Flashcards
Biochemical Imbalance Theory
imbalance of neurotransmitters
Dopamine and epinephrine
Serotonin and histamine
Gamma-aminobutyric acid and acetylcholine
Anxiety
Unpleasant state of fear
Affective Disorders (Mood Disorders)
Changes in mood from mania to depression
Bipolar disorder is an example
Psychosis
Severe emotional disorder that impairs mental fxn to the point they cannot participate in activities of daily living
Hallmark:Loss of contact with reality
Depressive and drug-induced psychosis
Anxiolytic Drugs
Benzodiazepines
Depress activity in the brainstem and limbic system.
Benzodiazepines/Adverse Effects/Overdose/Interactions
Largest and most commonly prescribed anxiolytic
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Adverse Effects
Decreased CNS activity, sedation
Hypotension
Drowsiness, loss of coordination, dizziness, headaches
Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation
Overdose
dangerous with alcohol
Flumazenil (Romazicon) may be used to reverse benzodiazepines’ effects.
Interactions
Alcohol and CNS depressants can result in additive CNS depression and even death.
More likely to occur in patients with renal or hepatic compromise
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Most used as an anxiolytic
Adverse effects: confusion, ataxia, headache, and others
Diazepam (Valium)
Indications: relief of anxiety
Avoid in patients with hepatic dysfunction
Adverse effects: headache, confusion, slurred speech, and others
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Used to treat or prevent alcohol withdrawal
Buspirone (Buspar)
Lacks sedative properties and dependency potential as other benzodiazepines
Mood-Stabilizing Drugs
Lithium carbonate
Drugs used in combination with lithium
Benzodiazepines
Antipsychotic drugs
Antiepileptic drugs
Dopamine receptor agonists
New agent: cariprazine (Vraylar)
Lithium Level Range/Adverse Effects
treatment of mania
Narrow therapeutic range: 1-1.5 mEq/L; maintenance serum lvls should range between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L.
exceeding 1.5-2.5 mEq/L produce toxicity, GI discomfort, tremor, confusion, somnolence, seizures, and possibly death.
Keeping the sodium level normal range (135-145 mEq/L) helps therapeutic lithium levels.
Adverse effects
Most serious adverse effect is cardiac dysrhythmia.
Long-term treatment may cause hypothyroidism
Antidepressants
Requires at least 6 weeks of therapy
Higher risk of suicide
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
largely been replaced by SSRIs as first-line antidepressant drugs
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Tricyclic Antidepressants: Indications/Overdose
Depression
Childhood enuresis (imipramine)
Adjunctive analgesics for chronic pain conditions
Overdose
CNS and cardiovascular systems are
mainly affected.
dysrhythmias