Module 3 - Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Agents Flashcards
Anxiolytic Agents
reduce anxiety by reducing over activity in the CNS
what do benzodiazepines do?
Depress activity in the brainstem and limbic system
how do antihistamines work
- Depress CNS by sedation
- used for allergic conditions
Buspirone (BuSpar)
- Nonsedating and non–habit forming
- May have drug interaction with SSRIs (serotonin syndrome)
- Do not administer with MAOIs
antidepressnts reduce..
symptoms of depression, panic, and anxiety
what are the two older generation antidepressants?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
name the three newer generation antidepressants.
1)Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
2)Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
3)Miscellaneous
(atypical; do not fall conveniently into the other categories)
older generation:
what are tricyclic antidepressants used for?
depression (if SSIR’s have failed), childhood enuresis (imipramine), OCD (clomipramine), adjunctive analgesics for chronic pain conditions (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia)
older generation:
when are tricyclic antidepressants used?
- used if newer generation drugs have failed.
- largely been replaced by SSRIs as first-line Tx
Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Side effects
Dry mouth, blurred vision, urine retention, and hypertension, sedation and anti-cholinergic effects, impotence, orthostatic hypotension
in elderly: Dizziness, postural hypotension, constipation, delayed micturation, edema, muscle tremors
when should Tricyclic Antidepressants be avoided?
- should never be taken with alcohol or other CNS depressants
- patients with heart attack, heart block, or arrhythmia
what happens with Tricyclic Antidepressants overdose?
- Lethal—70% to 80% die before reaching the hospital
- CNS and cardiovascular systems are mainly affected
- Death results from seizures or dysrhythmias
- No specific antidote
- Decrease drug absorption with activated charcoal
- Speed elimination by alkalinizing urine
- Manage seizures and dysrhythmias
- Basic life support
A 77-year-old female patient is diagnosed with depression and anxiety and is started on imipramine. Because of this patient’s age, which adverse effects would take priority when planning care?
a) Dry mouth and photosensitivity
b) Anxiety, headaches, insomnia
c) Drowsiness and sedation
d) Urinary frequency
C - drowsiness and sedation
Older Generation:
what are MAO Inhibitors (MAOI’s) used for?
- Considered second-line treatment for depression not responsive to cyclics
- highly effective
Older Generation:
MAO Inhibitors adverse effects.
orthostatic hypotension, headache, insomnia, and diarrhea
Older Generation:
MAO Inhibitor precautions
many food and drug interactions.
- Concurrent use of MAOIs and SSRIs may lead to serotonin syndrome
- when switching to SSRI’s from MAOI’s need 2-5 week washout period
- when taken with tyramine causes hypertensive crisis leading to cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, coma, or death