Exam 1 Drugs Flashcards
Benzodiazepines
Anti-anxiety drug
Promote activity of GABA
decreased excitability ==> calming effect
sleeping inducing
anticonvulsant
muscle relaxant properties
controlled substance, addictive
used for insomnia, anti-anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal
List of Benzodiazepines - anxiety
- ending in pam
Diazepam (Valium)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
List of Benzodiazepines - insomnia
- ending in pam, am
Flurazepam (Dalmane)
Temazepam (Restoril)
Triazolam (Halcion)
List of Benzodiazepines - alcohol withdrawal
- ending in pam, xide
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Short-Acting Sedative-Hypnotic Sleep Agents (“Z-hypnotics”)
Antianxiety and Hypnotic Drugs
Sedative effects without the anxiety, anticonvulsant, or muscle relaxant effects of other benzodiazepines.
Quick onset… take when ready to sleep
Short half lives (up to 8 hours)
List of Short-Acting Sedative-Hypnotic Sleep Agents (“Z-hypnotics”)
- have Z in the beginning of the medication
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Zaleplon (Sonata)
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
Anti-anxiety and Hypnotic Drugs
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Anti-anxiety and Hypnotic - Melatonin Receptor Agonists
often better tolerated than benzos
Relieves anxiety with no sedative effect
No potential for addiction
Not a CNS depressant
thought to work as a partial serotonin agonist
SE: HA, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, insomnia
T/F
Many antidepressants have proven to be effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
TRUE
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Antidepressant Drugs
Once was used as first line defense, however no longer
TCAs take longer to reach optimal dose, have many side effects, sedation, and MORE LETHAL IN OVERDOSE
Thought to act by blocking reuptake of norepinephrine or both norepinephrine and serotonin
Side effects of TCAs
Orthostatic hypotension (esp. with elderly), confusion, disturbed concentration; anti-cholinergic side effects including blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention
ER/MEDICAL FLOOR TIP: In overdose, may cause fatal arrhythmias, slows AV conduction (consider monitored bed, telemetry)
Side effects of TCAs
Orthostatic hypotension (esp. with elderly), confusion, disturbed concentration; anti-cholinergic side effects including blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention
ER/MEDICAL FLOOR TIP: In overdose, may cause fatal arrhythmias, slows AV conduction (consider monitored bed, telemetry)
Nursing Considerations for TCAs
suicidal precautions, sugarless lozenges for dry mouth, titrate down doses to avoid HA, Vertigo, wt. changes, avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, In bipolar patients, Tx with TCA’s may lead to hypomania or mania.
List of TCAs
- end in ine
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
MAOIs
Antidepressant
drug that inhibits action of MAO by preventing destruction of monoamines… So synaptic level of neurotransmitters is increased and makes the antidepressant effects possible
If pt is taking this medication, must avoid tyramine rich foods (aged cheese, pickled or smoked fish, meats, wine) or risk hypertensive crisis
Side Effects of MAOIs
HTN crisis with consumption of high tyramine foods, photosensitivity, weight gain, sexual dysfunction
Nursing Considerations for MAOIs
Low tyramine diet
D/C 10 days prior to anesthesia
Monitor for urinary retention
Meds lower seizure threshold
Suicidal precautions
List MAOIs
- end in ine or mine
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Selegiline (EMSAM)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate
Tyramine Restrictive Food
Avocados
Strong or aged cheeses
Cured meats (salami, beef jerky)
Smoked or processed meats
Pickled or fermented foods
Soybean products
Sauces: soy sauce, shrimp sauce, fish sauce, miso, and teriyaki sauce
Snow peas & fava beans
Beer, red wine, sherry and liqueurs
Dried or overripe fruits (eg. Raisins, prunes, bananas, & avocados)
Meat tenderizers
Old or spoiled foods
**also found in some OTC meds
Major Side Effect of MAOIs
Hypertensive crisis (requiring emergency treatment)
Potentially causing a hemorrhagic stroke.
Why is MAOIs less commonly taken?
Due to restrictive diet
can cause hypertensive crisis that can require emergency treatment
interacts with many drugs
Adverse Drug Effect: Serotonin Syndrome
Can occur when multiple medications that alter serotonin metabolism are used together (MAOIs + SSRI, etc.)
Can be life-threatening
Adverse Drug Effect: Serotonin Syndrome Clinical Symptom Profile
Tachycardia
Sweating (diaphoresis)
Fever progressing to hyperthermia
Shivering, Tremor
Muscle rigidity (myoclonus)
Restlessness/Agitation/Delirium/Coma
**key: change in body temp