Intro to Pyschopharmacology

Question 1

What’s psychopharmacology?

Answer 1

Studies med that affect behaviour through actions in CNS.

Question 2

Phases of drug treatment?

Answer 2

Initiation, stabilization (increasing dose), maintenance (medication continued to prevent relapse), discontinuation (slowly taper over time, monitor for withdrawal symptoms).

Question 3

Two types of antipsychotics?

Answer 3

First generation- typical, more side effects
Second generation- atypical, less side effects, used first

Question 4

Positive and negative symptoms?

Answer 4

Positive- hallucinations, delusions
Negative- lack of motivation, social withdrawal

Question 5

What is NMS?

Answer 5

Rigidity and high fever, very rare, patient still has percent neurological damage after recovery, move all muscles for days, patient confused

Question 6

Side effects of antipsychotic meds?

Answer 6

Cardiovascular (orthostatic hypotension), anticholinergic (dry mouth, constipation, dry eyes), endocrine (metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, cholesterol issues, decrease sex drive, menstrual regularities), blood disorders, miscellaneous (rash, sunburn), NMS.

Question 7

Dystonia?

Answer 7

Involuntary muscle spasms, abnormal postures, toritcollis.

Question 8

What is pseudoparkinsonism?

Answer 8

Rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movement), tremor, masklike face, loss of spontaneous movements

Question 9

What is akathisia?

Answer 9

Inability to sit still, restlessness

Question 10

What is tardive dyskinesia?

Answer 10

Irregular reptile involuntary movements of mouth/face/tongue, chewing/tongue protrusion/lip smacking/pucker lips/rapid eye blinking

Question 11

Lithium carbonate?

Answer 11

Gold standard for acute mania/bipolar disorder. Side effects- mentality taste, excessive thirst, increase urine, find head tremor, drowsy, mild diarrhea, weight gain. Lithium toxicity (diarrhea, vomiting, drowsy, muscular weakness, lack coordination. Kidney damage risk, monitor serum creatinine, TSH.

Question 12

Signs of hyperthyroidism from lithium?

Answer 12

Dry skin, constipation, bradycardia, hair loss, cold intolerance…

Question 13

Can you take lithium while pregnant/breastfeeding?

Answer 13

no

Question 14

Side effects of anticonvulsants?

Answer 14

Dizzy, stupor, nausea/vomit, tachycardia, HTN or hypoTN, coma, respiratory depression nystagmus, neuromuscular disturbances, agitation, urine retention

Question 15

What do antidepressants treat?

Answer 15

Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, pain, depression in bipolar disorders, sleep disorder, pre menstrual disorders.

Question 16

Side effects of TCAs?

Answer 16

sedation, orthostatic hypoTN, anticholinergic, sexual dysfunction, potential for cardio toxicity

Question 17

SSRIs side effects?

Answer 17

Headache, anxiety, insomnia, transient nausea, vomit, nausea, diarrhea, sedation, sexual dysfunction

Question 18

MAOIs side effect?

Answer 18

anticholinergic, orthostatic hypoTN, sexual dysfunction, interaction with tyramine.

Question 19

Benzodiazepines (sedative hypnotic med) side effects?

Answer 19

Drowsy, intellectual impairment, hangover effects, ataxia, reduced coordination, psychological dependence, toxicity (CNS depression, ataxia, confusion, delirium, agitation, hypotension, diminished reflexes, lethargy

Question 20

Withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines?

Answer 20

tremors, increased perspiration, palpitations, sensitivity to light, abdominal discomfort/pain, systolic blood pressure elevation

Question 21

Side effects of non benzodiazepines?

Answer 21

Dizzy, drowsy, nausea, excitement, headache

Question 22

Stimulant side effects?

Answer 22

appetite suppression, insomnia, irritable ,weight loss, nausea, headache, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness. Blood pressure changes- low/high, tachycardia, tremors, irregular HR

Question 23

What is ECT?

Answer 23

Initiates short seizures by electrical current. Muscle relaxants and anesthetic given. Repeat procedure 2-3 x/week. Side effects- hypo/HTN, bradycardia,tachycardia, minor arrhythmias immediately after

Question 24

What is phototherapy (light therapy)?

Answer 24

Resets circadian rhythms and its used for SAD