CNS Part 4 November 23 Flashcards
Question
Answer
A169: If someone wants to come off benzodiazepines, can they stop abruptly? R
Never stop abruptly if used long term as it can cause withdrawal symptoms which can last for months such as: Anxiety, Loss of appetite, Insomnia, Delirium tremens, Convulsions, Confusion
A170: What symptoms would you see in abrupt withdrawal of benzos? (M)
Confusion, Toxic psychosis, Convulsions, Condition resembling delirium tremens (like alcohol withdrawal)
A171: What are the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome? S
Confusion, toxic psychosis, convulsions, or a condition resembling delirium tremens, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite and of body-weight, tremor, perspiration, tinnitus, perceptual disturbances
A172: How quickly would you see symptoms of withdrawal if patients stop long acting and short acting benzodiazepines? G
LA: any time up to 3 weeks after stopping, SA: within one day
Q173: How long will it take to come off benzodiazepines completely? R
2-4 weeks with short-term users, Months with long-term users, Decrease dose in steps of 1-2mg every 2-4 weeks.
A174: What is given to help patients coming off benzo? (M)
Diazepam
A175: What type of anxiety are benzo’s avoided in? S
Chronic anxiety
Q176: What are the other uses of benzodiazepines? G
Alcohol withdrawal, Epilepsy, Muscle spasms, Insomnia, Anxiety
A177: When are short-acting benzo’s used instead of long-acting benzo’s? R
Short-acting preferred in: Elderly, Hepatic impairment
A178: What are the 4 main cautions of benzos? (M)
Avoid prolonged use, Avoid abrupt withdrawal, Pts with a history of drug/alcohol dependence, Paradoxical effects
A179: What are the paradoxical effects of benzo’s and what is done to prevent this? S
Hostility + aggression, Talkativeness + excitement vs. Antisocial, Anxiety + perceptual disorder, Adjust dose UP or DOWN to reduce the paradoxical effects
A180: What are the main side effects of benzo’s? G
Dizziness and drowsiness, Reduced alertness, Anxiety, Altered mood, Fatigue, GI disorders, Sleep disorder, Muscle weakness
A181: What are the main contraindications of benzo’s? R
Sleep apnea syndrome, Unstable myasthenia gravis, Acute pulmonary insufficiency
A182: Are benzos safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding? (M)
Neonatal withdrawal symptoms when used during pregnancy → avoid regular use and use only if there is a clear indication e.g. seizure control, High doses during later pregnancy/ labor = cause neonatal hypothermia, hypotonia (decreased muscle tone) & respiratory depression, Present in breast milk = avoided if possible during breastfeeding
A183: What is the patient and carer advice around benzodiazepines? S
Drowsiness may persist the next day, Affects performance of skilled tasks (e.g., driving), Effects enhanced by alcohol
A184: Which benzo’s are used in hepatic impairment? G
Short-acting, LLTOM
A185: Which benzo’s can be used in hepatic impairment? R
Short-acting ones are safer in general
A186: What is ADHD? (M)
Behavioral syndrome characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention which can lead to social, educational, or occupational impairment
A187: What are the main aims of treating ADHD? S
Reduce functional impairment, severity of symptoms, Improve quality of life
A188: What drugs are used 1st line for ADHD? G
Methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine
A189: What are the main counseling points for methylphenidate? R
Affects driving so don’t drive if feeling weird, Enhanced by alcohol so don’t drink
A190: What’s given if methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are contraindicated or not tolerated? (M)
Atomoxetine or dexamfetamine
A191: What is used to treat ADHD if patients have a history of being drug abusers? S
Atomoxetine?
A192: What are the side effects of atomoxetine? G
Anxiety, N&V, Antimuscarinic SE, Sexual dysfunction, Cardiac: Arrhythmias and palpitations, Depression, Dizziness, and drowsiness
A193: What is bipolar disorder? R
A long-term period of extreme mood swings/ energy swings, Low points: experiencing depression, High points: experiencing mania and hypomania (having too much ambition to the point of self-destruction), Mania is dangerous because people who have manic episodes can do things that can destroy their lives. Total disinhibition is dangerous. Remember that.
A194: What are the main symptoms of mania? (M)
Grand ideas about yourself and your own self-importance, Increased energy & less sleep, More talkative than usual, Full of new ideas and plans. Often the plans are grandiose and unrealistic, Irritation or agitation, Wanting to do a lot of pleasurable things → e.g., spend a lot of money, less sexual inhibition, drink a lot of alcohol, or take illegal drugs
A195: What are the symptoms in depression if they have bipolar? S
Low mood for most of the day nearly every day, Loss of enjoyment and interest in life even for activities that you normally enjoy, Abnormal sadness often with weepiness, Feeling guilty, worthless or useless, Poor motivation, even simple tasks seem difficult, Poor concentration: it may be difficult to read, work etc, Sleeping problems
A196: What drugs are used in bipolar? G
Lithium, Valproate, Carbamazepine, Antipsychotics, Benzo’s, Memory trick: LV CAB