Drugs

Question 1

Naltrexone and Naloxone are both opiate receptor antagonists, but what are their differing effects?

Answer 1

Naltrexone - blocks feeling of pleasure

Naloxone - used in emergencies to reverse opiate intoxication

Question 2

Appropriate drug for alcohol addiction?

Answer 2

Naltrexone

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action for typical antipsychotic drugs. Give 2 examples and a side effect?

Answer 3

D2 receptor antagonist
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Parkinsonian like

Question 4

What type of drugs can induce psychosis and what is there mechanism of action and therefore treatment?

Answer 4

D2 agonists
Amphetamines, cocaine, L-dopa
D2 antagonist - typical antipsychotic

Question 5

Give an example of a an atypical antipsychotic, what type of receptor is this more selective for?

Answer 5

clozapine

D4

Question 6

6 side affects of clozapine

Answer 6

Weight gain
hypersalivation
tachycardia
hypotension
neutropenia

Question 7

What is the glutamate hypothesis with regard to psychosis and what is the drug related evidence to support this?

Answer 7

PCP is a flugtamate receptor (NMDA) receptor antagonist and leads to hallucinations

Question 8

What are the 2 overall effects of atypical antipsychotics?

Answer 8

Increase DA activity in PFC
and
Decrease DA in NAcc

Question 9

Give an example of a tricyclic antidepressant, what is their mechanism of action?

Answer 9

Amytryptiline

block reuptake of monoamines (Ser, NE, E, DA)

Question 10

What is Fluoxetine?

Answer 10

Prozac

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 11

3 advantages of SSRIs

Answer 11

Efficacy equal to tryciclics in outpatients

Large spectrum of action (OCD, PTSD, Panic, GAD, social anxiety)

Low toxicity and safe in overdose

Question 12

3 side effects of SSRIs

Answer 12

gastro-intestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea)
headache, Irritability, Anxiety
reduction of libido and sexual dysfunction

Question 13

5 side effects of tricyclic antidepressants

Answer 13

Constipation, 
orthostatic hypotension,
 dry mouth, 
drowsiness, 
cardiac toxicity in overdose

Question 14

What is clozapine and it’s mechanism of action?

Answer 14

antipsychotic

D2/D3 antagonist

Question 15

3 advantages of lithium for treatment of affective disorders

Answer 15

Anti-suicidal effects
Possible efficacy on impulsive and violent behaviours
Strongest evidence for prevention of relapses of any polarity

Question 16

4 disadvantages of lithium

Answer 16

Narrow therapeutic index
blood tests every 3 months for the 1st year
Adverse long-term effects on Kidney function with excessive levels
Risk of Lithium toxicity

Question 17

What is sodium valporate and it’s mechanism of action

Answer 17

Anticonvulsant
sodium channel blocker
(teratogenic)

Question 18

What is carbamazapine and its mechanism of action?

Answer 18

Anticonvulsant

Question 19

4 drugs to treat manic episodes

Answer 19

Dopamine antagonists (haloperidol, olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine)

Question 20

3 alternatives to lithium treatment

Answer 20

Valproate
Dopamine antagonists/partial agonists
Carbamazepine

Question 21

4 adverse affects for long term pharmalogical treatment of affective disorders

Answer 21

Weight gain (most medications, particularly Olanzapine and Quetiapine)
Metabolic syndrome (Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
Hyperprolactinemia (Dopamine antagonists)
Tardive dyskinesia

Question 22

Drug treatment for panic disorder and mechanism of action?

Answer 22

Benzodiazapines - (Diazepam) Valium GABAa agonist

SSRI - flouxetine - prozac

Question 23

Best drug for treating OCD?

Answer 23

SSRI - fluoxetine - prozac