Drug Classes and Effects Flashcards
What are psychotropic medications?
Drugs that affect brain chemistry, influencing mood, thoughts, perceptions, and behaviour.
What are the four main classes of psychotropics?
Antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilisers.
Give one example of each psychotropic class.
Antipsychotic: Haloperidol
Antidepressant: Sertraline
Anxiolytic: Lorazepam
Mood stabiliser: Lithium
What are common side effects of antipsychotics?
Weight gain, sedation, postural hypotension, hyperglycaemia, increased prolactin, prolonged QT, lower seizure threshold.
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
A rare, life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics or dopamine blockers with symptoms like hyperpyrexia, rigidity, altered mental state, tachycardia.
Why is lithium monitoring essential?
It has a narrow therapeutic window and can easily become toxic.
What are signs of lithium toxicity?
Shaking, slurred speech, loss of balance.
What is serotonin syndrome?
A potentially serious condition caused by excess serotonin, often from SSRIs or drug combinations.
What are symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Insomnia, agitation, hypertension, tremors, fever, sweating, seizures, confusion, tachycardia.
What is an SSRI?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (e.g., sertraline) — increases serotonin levels.
What is an SNRI?
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (e.g., venlafaxine) — increases serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
Common side effects of SSRIs/SNRIs?
Headache, weight gain, sexual dysfunction.
