CNS: Psychopharm and Cannabis Flashcards
What is a common consideration across antidepressants/anxiolytics?
Do not discontinue abruptly
What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
increases risk of SI in children, adolescents and young adults
Common contraindication across TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, methylphenidate, amphetamines
Contraindicated if MAOI use within 2 weeks
What nutrient do MAOIs interact with that make it difficult to prescribe? What can that cause?
Tyramine - can cause hypertensive crisis
What is usually prescribed for panic dx?
alprazolam, clonazepam, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, Buspar (not monotherapy)
What is usually prescribed for GAD (generalized anxiety)?
alprazolam, duloxetine, escitalopram, paroxetine, venlafaxine
off-label: citalopram, desvenlafaxine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, pregabalin, sertraline
What are the first-line agents for PTSD?
VA guidelines: sertraline, paroxetine
Canadian guidelines: paroxetine, venlafaxine, fluoxetine, sertraline
What are some medications to be aware of that affect the CYP450 system and thus interact with several antidepressants/anxiolytics?
- azole antifungals
- macrolide antibiotics
- HIV protease inhibitors
- calcium channel blockers
- SSRIs
- nefazodone
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
rare but potentially fatal - extreme muscle rigidity, high fevers, coma, death
Tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine maleate, amoxapine, desipramine, protriptyline hydrochloride, clomipramine
Indication & MOA
Indications: depression, anxiety with sleep disturbance (doxepin, elavil), enuresis in children 6+ (imipramine), OCD (clomipramine), eating disorders
Doxepin: insomnia
MOA: Acts on serotonin, norepinephrine, histamine and acetylcholine
Tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine maleate, amoxapine, desipramine, protriptyline hydrochloride, clomipramine
Prescribing considerations
- Long half-life of 6-8 hours
- Metabolized by the CYP450 system
- Highly cardiotoxic; can cause life-threatening arrythmias
- narrow TI OD can be fatal OD dose isn’t that high - avoid in those with SI
Tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine maleate, amoxapine, desipramine, protriptyline hydrochloride, clomipramine
Avoid, caution
- Avoid: angle closure glaucoma, suicidal patients, cardiovascular disorders, glaucoma
- Caution: metabolic syndrome, seizure disorder, elderly (anticholinergic fx, hip fractures)
Tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine maleate, amoxapine, desipramine, protriptyline hydrochloride, clomipramine
Adverse fx (5)
- Paradoxical diaphoresis
- Anticholinergic fx
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Sedation
- drowsiness
SSRIs
Fluoxetine, olanzapine-fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram
Indications & MOA
indications: depression, anxiety, panic disorders, OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia, PDD, PTSD, vasomotor symptoms in menopause
MOA: Selective inhibitory fx on presynaptic serotonin reuptake and weak fx on NE and dopamine reuptake
SSRIs
Fluoxetine, olanzapine-fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram
Considerations (specific to fluoxetine, paroxtine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram)
- Long half-life: 26 hours
- Takes a few weeks to take effect
- Extensive first-pass metabolism
- Metabolized by the CYP450 system
- Fluoxetine: least likely to cause weight gain, increases energy can be activating (may feel like worsening anxiety), long half-life; start low and titrate slow
- Paroxetine: interacts with a lot of other medications, nasty withdrawal, stimulates appetite, significant weight gain, excessively sedating
- Sertraline: increases energy
- Citalopram: BBW for QT prolongation - max dose 40mg daily, 20mg daily if over 60
- Escitalopram: tends to be weight neutral and neither sedating nor activating
SSRIs
Fluoxetine, olanzapine-fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram
BBW, pregnancy/lactation, peds, contraindications
- BBW for citalopram: QT prolongation
- Pregnancy/lactation: Eval risk vs. benefit, newborn can have withdrawal symptoms; lactation: sertraline and escitalopram have the lowest relative infant dose
- Peds: Fluoxetine is first line
- CI: hypersensitivity to SSRIs, renal or hepatic insufficiency
SSRIs
Fluoxetine, olanzapine-fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram
adverse fx
- CNS: agitation, insomnia, serotonin syndrome, blurred vision, headache, drowsiness, tremor
- GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, GI bleed, hyponatremia, weight changes, dry mouth, constipation
- Other: Sexual dysfunction, rash/itching
- CV: QT prolongation (citalopram)
What is serotonin syndrome?
- ADR that occurs with more than one serotonergic agent taken at the same time
- Sx = altered mental status or agitation, GI distress, neuromuscular changes (clonus, tremors, hyperreflexia), VS changes, sweating, hyperthermia
SNRIs
Venlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, desvenlafaxine
Indications, MOA
- MDD, GAD, neuropathy, fibromyalgia (Milnacipran), social anxiety, binge eating disorder, OCD, postmenopausal disorder, PTSD, panic disorder
- MOA: Inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin
SNRIs
Venlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, desvenlafaxine
Prescribing considerations
- Long half-life 8-17 hours
- Metabolized by CYP450
SNRIs
Venlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, desvenlafaxine
Avoid, pregnancy
- Avoid: uncontrolled HTN, renal & hepatic impairment
- Pregnancy: venlafaxine & desvenlafaxine - consider tapering in 3rd trimester
SNRIs
Venlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, desvenlafaxine
Interactions & Monitoring
- Interactions
- Antibiotics
- OTC medications that stimulate or cause insomnia or drowsiness
- Monitoring
- Serum transaminase levels
- SI
- Activation of hypomanic or manic symptoms