Drug therapy Flashcards
What does drug therapy assume?
That there is a chemical imbalance in the brain and this can be corrected by drugs, which either increase or decrease the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
What is the general purpose of drug therapy?
Decrease anxiety, lower arousal, lower blood pressure or heart rate. Reduce symptoms
What are common SSRIs?
Fluoxetine and Prozac
What are alternative drug treatments that aren’t SSRIs and what do they do?
Tricyclics – block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline, again prolonging their activity
Why are SSRIs usually the first choice of medicine for depression?
They are known to have less side effects than most other anti-depressants
What are the potential side effects of SSRIs?
- Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
- Diarrhoea and feeling or being sick’
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Loss of appetite
With what health conditions should a person be careful taking SSRIs with?
Diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease
