Mod 3 Psychotherapeutic Drugs Flashcards
Psychotherapeutic Drugs
Used in the treatment of emotional and
mental disorders
Ability to cope with emotions can range from occasional depression or anxiety to constant emotional distress
When emotions significantly affect an individual’s
ability to carry out normal daily functions,
treatment with a psychotherapeutic drug is a possible option
Psychotherapeutic Drugs (cont’d
Three main emotional and mental disorders: Anxiety Affective disorders Psychoses Types of psychotherapeutic drugs Antianxiety drugs Antimanic drugs Antidepressant drugs Antipsychotic drugs
Biochemical Imbalance
Other biochemicals are necessary for normal mental function GABA Acetylcholine (ACh) Sodium, potassium, magnesium
Anxiety
Unpleasant state of mind, characterized by a
sense of dread and fear
May be based on actual anticipated
experiences or past experiences May be exaggerated responses to imaginary
negative situations
Anxiety Disorders
Six major anxiety disorders (persistent anxiety) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Panic disorder Social phobia Simple phobia
Affective Disorders
Mood Disorders
Changes in mood that range from mania
(abnormally pronounced emotions) to
depression (abnormally reduced emotions) Some patients may exhibit both mania and
depression: bipolar disorder (BPD)
Psychosis
Severe emotional disorder that impairs the
mental function of the affected individual to
the point that the individual cannot participate
in activities of daily living
Hallmark: loss of contact with reality
Examples
Schizophrenia
Depressive and drug-induced psychoses
Psychotherapeutics:
Pathophysiology
Biochemical imbalance theory Mental disorders are associated with abnormal levels of endogenous chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, in the brain Biochemical imbalance theory (cont’d) Brain levels of certain neurotransmitters play an important role in maintaining mental health Catecholamines Dopamine Norepinephrine Indolamines Serotonin Histamine
Antianxiety Drugs
Reduce anxiety by reducing overactivity in
CNS
Benzodiazepines
• Depress activity in the brainstem and limbic system
Miscellaneous drug: Buspirone (BuSpar)
• Nonsedating and non–habit forming
• May have drug interaction with SSRIs (serotonin
syndrome)
• Do not administer with MAOIs
Antianxiety Drugs: Indications
Anxiety Insomnia Sedation Muscle spasms Seizure disorders Adjuncts in anesthesia Adjuvant therapy for depression Alcohol (ethanol) withdrawal
Common Benzodiazepines
diazepam (Valium) lorazepam ( Ativan) alprazolam (Xanax) clonazepam (Klonopin) chlordiazepoxide (Librium) Midazolam (Versed)* Reduces anxiety and patient’s memory of painful procedures that do not require general anesthesia (moderate sedation) Injection only *Limited to use as sedative and anesthetic during invasive medical or surgical procedures
Benzodiazepines
Potentially habit-forming and addictive
Should be used at lowest effective dosages
and frequencies needed for symptom control
Benzodiazepines:
Adverse Effects
Benzodiazepine adverse effects are an
overexpression of their therapeutic effects
Decreased CNS activity sedation
activity, Hypotension
Drowsiness, loss of coordination, dizziness, headaches
Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation
Benzodiazepines: Overdose
Dangerous when taken with other sedatives or alcohol Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive Flumazenil may be used to reverse benzodiazepine effects
Affective Disorder Drugs
Mood stabilizers Used to treat bipolar disorder • Involves cycles of mania, hypomania, and depression Antidepressants Used to treat depression
Mood Stabilizers:
Antimanic Drugs
Lithium is the drug of choice for the treatment
of mania
It is thought to potentiate serotonergic
neurotransmission
May be used with other medications to stabilize
mood
Narrow therapeutic range: maintenance serum
levels should range between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L
Monitor sodium levels
Low TI
Depression
Etiology (cont’d)
Permissive hypothesis
Affective disorders are caused by decreased
concentrations of serotonin
• Depression results from decreases in both serotonin and
catecholamine levels
• Mania results from increased catecholamine but decreased serotonin levels
Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Newer-generation antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Second- and third-generation antidepressants
Tricyclic Antidepressants:
First-Generation Antidepressants
Have largely been replaced by SSRIs as
first-line antidepressant drugs
Considered second-line
For patients who fail with SSRIs or other newer-generation antidepressants
As adjunct therapy with newer-generation
antidepressants