Drugs

Question 1

Give an example of a drug that can be prescribed from the GP and what does it do? (Drugs depression)

Answer 1

Prozac increases serotonin availability, elevating mood

Question 2

Prior to the 1980’s, drugs trials for … Lead to the realisation of increased serotonin? (Drugs depression)

Answer 2

TB

Question 3

Prior to the 1980’s, what anti-depressants were used? (Drugs depression)

Answer 3

TCA and MOAI

Question 4

How does TCA work? (Drugs depression)

Answer 4

Blocks the reuptake of serotonin

Question 5

How do MAOI’s work? (Drugs depression)

Answer 5

Prevent the removal of serotonin

Question 6

What was bad about TCA and MAOI drugs? (Drugs depression)

Answer 6

If taken in excess, they were lethal

Question 7

When did second generation drugs come about? (Drugs depression)

Answer 7

1980’s

Question 8

What kind of drugs were seen in the second generation? (Drugs depression)

Answer 8

SSRI’s e.g Prozac

Question 9

How do SSRI’s work? (Drugs depression)

Answer 9

They block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synapse

Question 10

Why were SSRI’s and improvement of first generation drugs? (Drugs depression)

Answer 10

If taken in excess, they were not fatal

Question 11

Name a third generation drug? (Drugs depression)

Answer 11

SNRI’s e.g mirtazapine

Question 12

How do SNRI’s work? (Drugs depression)

Answer 12

Block the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline by binding to the transporters of the neurotransmitters on the pre-synaptic cell

Question 13

What did Kirsch et al (2008) find? (Drugs depression)

Answer 13

Anti-depressants had the largest impact on on severely depressed patients but not mildly depressed patients

Question 14

What did March et al (2007) find? (Drugs depression)

Answer 14

A group receiving drugs and CBT had a higher success rate than those only receiving drugs

Question 15

Are anti-depressants appropriate and why? (Drugs depression)

Answer 15

No, many side effects including nausea and headaches

Question 16

What did Barbui et al (2008) find? (Drugs depression)

Answer 16

Adolescents taking SSRIs were 2x more likely to attempt suicide

Question 17

Why are drugs a short term measure? (Drugs depression)

Answer 17

They have the affect of dependency for the patient. Modern SSRI’s are not physically addictive but they are psychologically

Question 18

What ethical issues occur from drugs? (Drugs depression)

Answer 18

Many families have to make the decision for the patient, lack of concent

Question 19

How common is drug treatment and for whom? (Drugs depression)

Answer 19

Drugs are the most commonly used treatment for severely depressed patients