Misc Psych (capsule, passmed, firms lectures etc) Flashcards
What are the EPSEs of antipsychotics?
Which types of patients are more susceptible to EPSEs
more common in elderly and patients with pre-existing neuro damage
a) Which drug class is most likely to cause EPSEs?
b) of this class, which drug is most likely to cause EPSEs?
a) atypical antipsychotics
b) risperidone
What are the main features of parkinsonism?
tremor
rigidity
bradykinesia
(also hypomimia, postural instability, shuffling gait)
Which drug can be given to patients presenting with Parkinsonism secondary to antipsychotic use?
What is the other management for this side effect?
What are the main types of dystonia seen secondary to antipsychotic use?
torticollis (distortion of the neck)
oculogyric crisis s
What is the management for acute dystonia secondary to antipscyhotic use?
Describe tardive dyskinsia
can be worsened by anti-cholinergics (e.g. procyclidine)
What is akithesia?
severe physical and mental restlessness
What is clozipine used to treat?
treatment-resistant schizophrenia
What is the maxiumum amount of time benzodiazipines should be prescribed for?
2-4 weeks (due to addictive potential)
What condition is sodium valproate used to treat?
bipolar disorder
Which drugs are commonly used for rapid tranquilisation?
lorezapam
Promethazine (sedating antihistamine)
What are Schnieder’s first rank symptoms of schizophrenia?
What is the difference between 2nd person and 3rd person auditory hallucinations?
What is the most common type of hallucination?
auditory (rarely somatic, olfactory, etc)
What are the ICD-10 classifcations of schizophrenia?
What are the main features of schizophrenia?
What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Summarise the epidemiology of szhizophrenia
Summarise the prognosis of schizophrenia
What are some differentials for schizophrenia?
Name some physical health differntials of schizophrenia
what are some investigations for suspected schizophrenia?
Name some typical antipsychotics
Name some atypical antispscyhotics
What is the pharmocology of antipsychotics (how do they work?)
Dopamine receptor antagonist - except aripriprozole (partial agonist)
What are the main side effects of typical antipsychotics?
What are the main side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
What is the most effective antipsychotic (in research)?
clozipine (usually reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia)
Define Tx-resistant schizophrenia
What are the risks associated with clozapine?
agranulocytosis (rare and potentially fatal idiosyncratic reaction)
Which bloods must be conducted for patients on clozapine regularly?
FBC
regularity decreases over time
What are some other side effects of clozapine
excessive sedation
hypersalivation
postural hypotension
weight gain & metabolic syndrome
anticholinergic effects - particularly constipation
cardiomyopathy, fatal myocardititis
reduced seizure threshold
What other drug should be started concurrently when starting clozapine?
laxative
What is role of the mesolimbic pathway in schizophrenia?
What is role of the mesocortical pathway in schizophrenia?
Which pathway in the brain is responsible for the EPSEs of antipsychotics?
Nigrostriatal pathway
Which brain pathway is reponsible for hyperprolactinaemia in antipsychotics?
tuberoinfundibular pathway
What is the normal QTc interval?
<440ms in men
<470ms for women
Which antipsychotics have increased risk of QTc interval prolongation?
all of them
What complications can arise from prolonged QTc interval?
torsades de points
VT
Which antipsychotics are linked to metabolic syndrome?
atypical antipsychotics (worst is olanzapine)
What monitoring does NICE recommend for patients on any antipsychotic?
Which antipsychotic can be started prophylactically (on top of another antispsychotic) in order to control the metabolic syndrome risk?
aripipozale
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
Which drugs cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
any antipsychotic
What is the aetiology of neuroleptic malignant sydnrome?
reduced dopamine in hypothalamus –> reduced temp.
What are the risk factors for neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
What are the investigations for suspected neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
What is the management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
What are the main difference
different causes: lack of dopamine (NMS) vs excess serotonin (serotonin syndrome)
What is the treatment for mild depression?
- prescribe nothing & follow up in 2 weeks
- refer for psychological Tx
How long does it take to see a response to an antidepressant?
2-4 weeks
At least 4 weeks at an effective dose is needed before deciding that the patient has failed to respond.
What are some symptoms of discontinuation syndrome?
- flu like symptoms
- insomnia
- vivid dreams
- dizziness
- irritability
Which drugs have been linked to depression?
- corticosteroids
- oral contraceptives
- statins
- ranitidine
- antihypertensives
For a 1st episode depression, how long should drug Tx be continued after symotoms subside?
For a first episode of depression, treatment should be continued for 6 months after remission
For a 2nd episode depression, how long should drug Tx be continued after symotoms subside?
2 yearss
Describe serotonin syndrome
- cognitive symptoms (eg confusion, headache)
- autonomic symptoms (eg sweating, hyperthermia, tachycardia)
- neurological symptoms (eg myoclonus, hyper-reflexia)
this is something to be aware of when:
- prescribing high dose SSRI’s
- antidepressants are used in combinations.
which class of drug is venlafaxine?
SNRI
which class of drug is duloxetine?
SNRI
which class of drug is mirtazapine?
noradrenline reuptake inhibitor (NARI)
which class of drug is escitalopram?
SSRI
which class of drug is reboxetine?
noradrenline reuptake inhibitor (NARI)
Name some Tx options for Tx-resistant depression
- lithium augmentation
- antidepressant combinations
- ECT
- liothyronine (T3) augmentation
Describe amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant.
- The indications for its use include neuropathic pain and migraine prophylaxis.
- It is no longer recommended as a first-line treatment for major depression due to its side-effects and cardio-toxicity risks in overdose; it is sometimes used for treatment-resistant depression.
Name some side effects of amitriptyline
Common side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Sedation
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Postural hypotension
Rare side effects include:
- Urinary retention
- Convulsions
- Cardiac dysrhythmias
- Weight gain
- Precipitation of glaucoma
- Hyponatremia
- Hepatic impairment
What are some contraindications to amitriptyline?
- known allergy
- immediately post myocardial infarction
- cardiac arrhythmias.
- complete heart block.
- amitrypyline is metabolised in the liver and can precipitate an acute crisis in those with Acute Porphyria.
Amitriptyline increase the risk of ____ when combined with a beta blocker
ventricular arrhythmias
How can amitriptyline and concerrant warfarin can affect the INR?
unpredictable effect
What does amitriptyline and concurrant MAOI Tx increase the risk of?
serotonin syndrome - never co-prescribe!
Which is the only SSRI recommended by NICE for use in Bipolar Affective Disorder?
Fluoxetine
Why should antidepressants be avoided in rapid cycling bipolar disorder or with a recent history of a manic episode?
risk of triggering a manic episode
hey should only be prescribed if the patient is also taking an antipsychotic or anti-manic agent
What is the normal therapeutic range for Lithium from bloods taken 12 hours post dose?
0.4 to 0.8mmol/L
Which lithium blood levels
a) present toxicity symptoms
b) are potentially fatal
c) require urgent Tx
a) Toxic symptoms can begin to appear when levels are >1.0mmol/L.
b) Levels >1.5mmol/L are potentially fatal
c) > 2.0mmol/L require urgent treatment.
What are the symptoms of lithium toxicity?
- diarrhoea,
- nausea,
- anorexia,
- myalgia,
- ataxia,
- blurred vision,
- muscle twitches
- coarse tremor.
What are the symptoms of sodium valproate toxicity?
- hypotonia
- hyporeflexia
- CNS depression/coma
- constriction of pupils
- impaired respiratory function
- metabolic acidosis
Which drugs can increase lithium toxicity?
NSAIDs
What are some side effects of long term lithium use?
- (irreversible >15yrs) Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
- hypothyroidism
- hyperparathyroidism
- hyperglycaemia
Which blood tests are required for patients on lithium and how often?
- TFTs and renal function at initiation and every 6 months
- Lithium levels should be done at one week after initiation or dose change and once stable every 3 months
- FBC if clinically indicated
an ECG at initiation if the patient has cardiac disease or risk factors for this, weight and height at the start of treatment and further weight measurements if the patient gains weight.
What is the Tx for acute mania?
antipyschotics: Olanzapine, Risperidone or Quetiapine
Consideration should be given to the side effect profile, the patient’s medical history and medical risk factors, such as weight/diabetes/cardiovascular disease etc, when making a choice
Lithium or Sodium Valproate can also be used, although antipsychotic are preferred for acute treatment. These mood stabilisers are more appropriate for prophylaxis of relapse than for acute treatment.
Why should sodium valproate not be used in pregnancy?
teratogenic
What are some side effects of sodium valproate?
- nausea
- weight gain
- hair loss
What % of patients with mania will develop depression at some point?
90%
Can a Section 5(2) be used in A&E?
no, can only be used in those already admitted to hospital
What is activated charcoal used for?
in drug overdose (<1hr)
Peak plasma level of Paracetamol is reached ___ hours after ingestion
4 hours after ingestion
What is a mood stabiliser?
**What are the 3 types of mood stabiliser?
- lithium carbonate
- anti-epileptics
- anti-psychotics