Drug Side Effects Flashcards
Least EPS of all the typicals
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Significant QT prolongation
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Side effect of high dose (>800 mg/day) of thioridazine
Retinitis pigmentosa = progressive degeneration of rod photoreceptors => loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision)
Which antipsychotic can cause loss of peripheral vision?
Retinitis pigmentosa at high doses (>800 mg/day) of Thioridazine
Thioridazine = Mellaril = low potency typical antipsychotic
Distinguish the side effect profiles of high vs. low dose typical antipsychotics
Both doses have the same efficacy, potency differs by side effect profiles
- High potency agents: cause worse EPS
- Low potency agents: cause more anticholinergic, antihistaminergic, and antiadrenergic side effects
3 features of EPS
Extrapyramidal symptoms
- akathisia
- dystonic rxns
- Parkinsonism
What is akathisia?
Internal restlessness and anxiety
How to treat akathisia?
Anticholinergics, beta-blockers, or benzos
What are dystonic rxns?
Painful muscle spasms usually of the extremities, neck, ocular muscle
How to treat dystonic rxns
PO or IM anticholinergics
Describe Parkinsonian symptoms (feature of EPS)
Tremor, bradykinesia, masked faces, shuffling gait, cogwheel rigidity
How to treat Parkinsonian symptoms (side effect of EPS)
Anticholinergics, dopaminergic agents (Amantidine), or beta-blockers
List adverse events of typical antipsychotics
- EPS
- hyperprolactinemia
- sedation
- weight gain
- anticholinergic effects
- orthostatic hypotension
- decreased seizures threshold (more in low potency agents)
- sexual dysfxn
- dermatologic effects
What does hyperprolactinemia cause in
(a) Males
(b) Females
Hyperprolactinemia
(a) Males: gynecomastia and impotence
(b) F: Amenorrhea
Dermatologic effects of antipsychotics
Dermatitis and photosensitivity
2 serious adverse events of typical antipsychotics
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Features of tardive dyskinesia
Involuntary choreoathetoid mov’ts of face, neck, trunk, and extremities
- often permanent and can be grossly debilitating
- involuntary repetitive body mov’t
Possible mechanism of tardive dyskineasia
Effect of long term typical antipsychotics due to D2 blockade in the nigrostriatal tract
Features of NMS
NMS = Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- life-threatening condition of hyperpyrexia, autonomic instability, muscle rigidity, and delirium (cognitive impairment)
- can occur w/ all antipsychotics, uncommon but random occurrence
How to treat NMS
Removing offending agent (discontinue the antipsychotic) + supportive care
Describe the anticholinergic side effects
Dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, urinary retention, confusion, ECG changes
Contrast the SEs of typical vs. atypical antipsychotics
Typicals: higher EPS
-TD, NMS
Atypicals: higher rates of metabolic problems- hyperglycemia, DM2, hyperlipidemias
Which two atypical antipsychotics carry the greatest risk of metabolic syndrome?
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and cloazpine (Clozaril)
Which atypical antipsychotic has the most serious possible adverse effect?
Clozapine (Clozaril)
-agranulocytosis => frequent WBC monitoring required
Common side effects of atypical antipsychotics
- weight gain (most substantial on clozapine and olanzapine)/metabolic problems
- sedation
- orthostatic hypotension
- anticholinergic effects
Which atypical antipsychotic poses a risk of EPS?
Risperidone at high doses (above 6 mg/day) can cause EPS
Why was a metabolite of risperidone developed?
Paliperidone (Invega) = metabolite of risperidone w/ potentially less EPS than risperidone
Why do pts get ECG upon admission to psych ward?
Antipsychotics can cause QT interval prolongation, get ECG baseline
- don’t start antipsychotic if QT interval at baseline > 500 ms
- get repeat EKG to see if QT interval has prolonged
Main drug classes w/ anticholinergic effects
- Typical and atypical antipsychotics
- TCAs
Main adverse effects of TCAs
- anticholinergic effects
- sedation
- weight gain
- orthostatic hypotension
- sexual dysfxn
- mania in bipolar pts
- rare, seizures
Two serious adverse effects: cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity
Serious adverse effects of TCAs
Cardiotoxicity: TCAs slow cardiac conduction => EKG changes, arrhythmias, AV block
Neurotoxicty: tremor and ataxia
-in OD => agitation, delirium, coma, and death
Adverse effects of MAOIs
- orthostatic hypotension: can be pretty severe, may require support stockings
- weight gain
- sexual dysfunction
- insomnia
- myoclonus (muscle pains, paresthesias)
- mania