(Chapter 16 Psychotherapeutic Drugs) Flashcards
Adjunct Therapy
Combination drug therapy used when a patient’s condition does not respond adequately to a single drug (monotherapy), or used when a given combination of medications is known to have therapeutic benefits over a single drug
Affective disorders
Emotional disorders that are characterized by changes in mood
- Bipolar disorder
Antipsychotic
A medication that counteracts or diminishes symptoms of psychosis (also called a neuroleptic)
- Block dopamine receptors in the brain (limbic system, basal ganglia)—areas associated with emotion, cognitive function, motor function
- Decreases dopamine levels in the CNS and Results in a tranquilizing effect in psychotic patients
- Block specific dopamine receptors (dopamine 2 [D2] receptors and Also block specific serotonin receptors (serotonin 2 [5-HT2] receptors)
- Adverse effects include myoglobinemia
Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Anxiolytic
Capable of reducing anxiety; usually said of a medication
Benzodiazepine
A chemical category of drugs most frequently prescribed as sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic drugs; the most common group of psychotropic drugs currently prescribed to alleviate anxiety
Biogenic amine hypothesis (BAH)
Theory suggesting that depression and mania result from alternations in neuronal and synaptic amine concentrations, primarily the deficiency catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine, as well as the indolamines (too much) serotonin and histamine
- Depression and mania are due to an alteration in neuronal and synaptic catecholamine (depression) concentration at adrenergic receptor sites in the brain
GABA
An inhibitory amino acid in the brain that functions to inhibit nerve transmission in the CNS
Psychosis
A syndrome consisting of a cluster of manifestations commonly associated with one or more mental health disorders
- A severe emotional disorder that impairs the mental function of the affected individual to the point that the individual cannot participate in activities of daily living
- Schizophrenia, depressive disorders
Psychotherapeutics
The therapy of emotional and mental health disorders, which may involve drug therapy (pharmacotherapy), a variety of counselling techniques, recreational therapy, and in extreme cases electroconvulsive therapy
- Includes Antianxiety drugs, Antidepressants, Antimanic drugs, and Antipsychotics
Psychotropic
Capable of affecting mental processes; usually said of a medication
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Any of a heterogeneous group of newer medications used to treat depression and certain mental health disorders and that work by selectively reducing post-synaptic re-uptake of neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain
- fewer side effects and no effects on the cardiovascular system
- Still takes 4-6 weeks to reach maximal clinical effectiveness
- ends in ine and citalopram
- Used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, obesity, OCD, eating disorders
Adverse effects include nausea, headache, sexual dysfunction, dizziness, weight gain, sweating, etc
- Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much serotonin in the bloodstream
Tricyclic antidepressants
A chemical class of antidepressant drugs with a distinctive three-ring segment in their chemical structure and that are used to block reuptake of the amine neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine
- Adverse effects include nausea, headache, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, tachycardia, sedation, hypotension, etc
- Used to treat depression OCD, bed wetting, and chronic pain conditions
Anti-anxiety medications
- Antihistamines depresses the CNS
- buspirone - non sedating and non habit forming
- Barbituates and carbamtes (not used as much anymore)
- Benzodiazepines depresses the CNS (pam)
- Used to treat anxiety, sedation, muscles relaxants, seizure control, depression, alcohol withdrawals
- Adverse effects include respiratory depression, decreased CNS activity, sedation, hypotension, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, etc
- flumazenil may be used to reverse benzodiazepine effects (antidote)
Antidepressant medications
- Include Tricyclic antidepressants, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and SSRI (this one is newer)
MAOI inhibitors
- Are highly effective
- Have the potential to cause hypertensive crisis when taken with tyramine (disadvantage)
- Used to treat depression
- Adverse effects include tachycardia, dizziness, insomnia, anorexia, headache, drowsiness, etc
- Ingestion of foods or drinks with the amino acid tyramine leads to hypertensive crisis, which may lead to cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, coma, or death
