Depression Flashcards
Pathophysiology
Depression
A depletion of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine in the central nervous system
Rationale for drug use
Depression
Relieve psychological and physical symptoms.
Improve functional capacity.
Reduce the likelihood of self-harm or suicide.
Diagnostic criteria
Depression
Pervasive depressed mood (or irritable mood in children) and/or marked loss of interest or pleasure unexplained by personal circumstances, eg grief, plus 4 or more of the following:
- marked change in weight or appetite
- insomnia/hypersomnia nearly every day
- psychomotor agitation/retardation nearly every day
- fatigue/loss of energy nearly every day
- feelings of worthlessness, excessive/inappropriate guilt
- indecisiveness or diminished concentration
- feelings of hopelessness
- thoughts of death, suicidal ideation/attempt.
What to consider when choosing an antidepressant
- Previous response
- adverse effects
- Drug interactions
- Serotonin toxicity
Drug treatment
Depression
- SSRIs
- Nonselective MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine) when other treatments are not tolerated
Other:
TCA
SNRI
Melatonin Agonist
TeCA
NaRI
Drug class
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Antidepressants
Generic drug names
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Phenelzine
Tranylcypromine
MAOI a.k.a.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors a.k.a.
MAOIs
Indication
MAOIs
Major depression (third line)
Some anxiety disorders
MOA
MAOIs
Nonselective MAOIs irreversibly inhibit monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO‑A and MAO‑B), increasing the synaptic concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin.=
Precautions
MAOIs
Overdose carries high risk of fatality; avoid MAOIs if there is a high risk for overdose/suicide.!!!
- Treatment with rizatriptan or sumatriptan—contraindicated (risk of ischaemia is increased as their metabolism is inhibited).
- Angina—MAOIs may reduce pain associated with myocardial ischaemia; use with caution.
- Epilepsy, history of seizures or other risks for reduced seizure threshold, including treatment with drugs that may increase the risk of seizures (table)—MAOIs may increase the risk of seizures (risk less than with TCAs); use low doses and titrate slowly. Note that depression may also increase the risk of seizures.
- Diabetes—MAOIs may reduce blood glucose concentration, possibly affecting control of diabetes; the dose(s) of antidiabetic drugs may need to be reduced.
Adverse effects
MAOIs
orthostatic hypotension, sleep disturbances (including insomnia and less commonly hypersomnia), headache, drowsiness, fatigue, loss of libido
Counselling
MAOIs
- It is best to take your last dose of the day before 3 pm or you may have trouble sleeping at night.
- Sometimes people who take large amounts of caffeine feel jittery or get headaches when they take this medicine. If this happens, reduce the amount of caffeine you take.
- This medicine may cause drowsiness and increase the effects of alcohol; do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected.
- significant interactions with other medicines (eg hay fever or cold treatments and weight-reducing products). Do not use non-prescription medicines (even nasal sprays) or herbal products, eg St John’s wort, without discussing these with a pharmacist.
Practice points
MAOIs
MAOIs are third-line antidepressants, and are usually reserved for use by psychiatrists; they may be useful in atypical depression and psychotic depression; some specialists use MAOIs for post-traumatic stress disorder
Drug class and indication
Phenelzine
Antidepressants - MAOIs
Major depression
Drug class and indication
Tranylcypromine
Antidepressants - MAOIs
Major depression
Drug interactions
MAOIs
MAOIs can cause hypotension; administration with other drugs* that can also reduce BP may result in an additional effect; monitor effect of combinations closely.
MAOIs can cause serotonin toxicity; administration with other drugs that may contribute to serotonin toxicity (table) may increase likelihood; avoid combinations or monitor carefully
Bad / many drug interactions with any drugs such as adrenaline that act on sympathetic nervous sytem
adrenaline + MAOIs
cocaine + MAOIs
dopamine + MAOIs
noradrenaline + MAOIs
pseudoephedrine + MAOIs
SSRIs + MAOIs
“pram”, “ine” suffix
SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Antidepressants