Pharm Exam 2 Flashcards
What is the function of the Blood Brain Barrier?
Acts as a selective filter and protects CNS by limiting substances that enter the brain and spinal cord
The Blood Brain Barrier is crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system.
What causes the barrier effect of the Blood Brain Barrier?
The tight junctions that occur between capillary endothelial cells
These tight junctions prevent the free passage of substances and help maintain the integrity of the barrier.
What is the primary function of sedative hypnotic drugs?
Promote sleep
What calming effect do sedative hypnotic drugs have on patients?
Helps relax the patient
What are the two general categories of sedative hypnotic drugs?
Benzodiazepines and Nonbenzodiazepines
What do Benzodiazepines do?
Boost the effect on the brain on the brain’s endogenous inhibitory neurotranmitters (GABA);
- This also increases inhibation in spinal cord, producing skeletal muscle relaxation
Usually the PRIMARY drug used to treat anxiety due to their safety
What do Non-Benzodiazepines do?
Potentiate the inhibitory effects of GABA by binding to GABA a (alpha) receptors
Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs
What the Adverse Effects with the use of benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines?
- Hangover effect
–This can include drowsiness, confusion, or impaired motor function - Cardiovascular and Respiratory Depression
- Dependence (Withdraw may effect sleep)
Refers to residual effects after the drug’s active effects have worn off
Where are benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines excreted from the body?
Kidneys
The kidneys play a vital role in the elimination of these drugs
What are the Considerations for PTs with Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs?
Patients experiencing drowsiness or decreased motor performances are at a greater risk of falls due to the slowed reaction time, therefore utiliziing a gait-belt is important.
- Assess vitals is important before starting exercise to ensure vitals are within normal limits
What are the primary types of antianxiety drugs?
Benzodiazepines, Azapirones (Buspirone), Antidepressants, Beta adrenergic antagonist
This categorization includes various classes of medications used to treat anxiety.
What is the mechanism of action for Azapirones (Buspirone)?
Increases 5-HT (serotonin) effects in the brain. This is safer for long-term use
What is the efficacy level of Buspirone?
Moderate efficacy
This indicates that Buspirone is effective but not as potent as some other antianxiety medications.
How long does it typically take for medications to begin to work for depression?
2 to 4 weeks
This delay is due to the time needed for compensatory changes in the CNS.
Anti-Anxiety Drugs
What are the Adverse Effects for Benzodiazepine?
- Sedation
- Psychomotor Impairments
- Rebound Anxiety
What are the Adverse Effects for Azapirones?
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausa
- Restlessness
What are the PT considerations for Antianxiety Drugs?
Pt. experiencing drowsiness, dizziness, or decreased motor performance are at greater risk for falls, therefore a gaitbelt is important.
- Considerations must be taken when completing assessments with individuals under the sedative effects of these drugs
What are the primary classes of antidepressants?
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
- Selective Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOi)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
These classes of antidepressants differ in their mechanisms of action and side effects.
Anti-depressive Drugs
What do Selective Serotonin Re-Uptakes Inhibitors (SRRI) do?
SSRIs work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin into the presynaptic terminal at key locations within the brain
Anti-depressive Drugs
What does Serotonin-Nonepinephrine
Re-uptake Inhibitors (SNRI) do?
Decrease Serotonin and norepinephrin uptake
Anti-depressive Drugs
What do Tricyclics do?
Blocks re-uptakes of amine neurotranmitters (Such as: Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake)
Anti-depressive Drugs
What is the Role of Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO) for Bipolar Disorder Drugs?
This helps keep more transmitters in the synaptic cleft
Anti-depressive Drugs
What are the Adverse Effects for SSRI and SNRI?
- Arrhythmias and orthostatic hypotension (low risk)
- Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, confusion, etc.)
- Serotonin Syndrome (Sweating, Agitation, Tachycardia, Tremors, rigidity, fasciculations, clonus)
Anti-depressive Drugs
What are the Adverse Effects of Tricyclics?
- Sedation
- Anticholinergic Effects (dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, confusion)
- Arrhythmia and Orthostatic hypotension
Anti-depressive Drugs
What are the Adverse Effects of MAO (Monamine Oxidase) Inhibators?
- Tremors, confusion
- Hypertensive Crises
- Heart attack and Stroke (Cheese effect), when combined with fermented foods such as wine and some types of cheese
What central nervous system effects can MAO inhibitors produce?
CNS excitation, restlessness, irritability, agitation, sleep loss
These effects can significantly impact a patient’s daily functioning.
What neurotransmitters do antidepressants modulate?
Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
Antidepressants can influence mood and pain perception by affecting these neurotransmitters.
Which neurotransmitter is considered a key inhibitory transmitter?
Noradrenaline
Noradrenaline is important for regulating various functions, including mood and attention.
What role does serotonin (5-HT) play in neurotransmission?
Serotonin acts as both an inhibitory and stimulatory transmitter
Serotonin is involved in many functions, including mood regulation and the sleep-wake cycle.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
A mental health condition associated with mood swings from mania to depression
Mood swings can range from extreme euphoria to deep sadness.
What characterizes manic episodes in Bipolar Disorder?
Euphoria, hyperactivity, and talkativeness
These episodes are marked by heightened energy and mood.
What is the focus of treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
Preventing the start of mood swings by preventing manic-depressive disorder
Treatment often involves the use of mood stabilizers.
With Bipolar disorder, what are mood stabilizers also known as?
Antimanic drugs
These medications help to control manic and depressive episodes.
What is the primary drug used to treat bipolar disorder?
Lithium
Lithium is the most commonly prescribed medication for managing bipolar disorder.
How is Lithium administered?
Orally
Where is Lithium absorbed?
From the GI tract
How is Lithium distributed in the body?
Throughout all the tissues in the body
Is Lithium metabolized in the body?
No, Lithium is not metabolized
How is Lithium eliminated from the body?
Almost exclusively through excretion in the urine
What can frequently occur during the administration of lithium?
Toxic levels can be reached
This is a significant concern for patient safety.
What Mild Toxicity Symptom can result from the use of Lithium?
- Tremors, fatigue, weakness
- Loss of appetite, dry mouth
- Polyuria, Polydispsia
What Mild-Severe toxicity symptoms can result from the progressive accumulation of lithium?
- Seizures
- Coma
- Kidney Damage
- Syncope
- Death
These complications highlight the need for careful monitoring.
What should clinicians be aware of in patients taking lithium?
Any changes in behavior
Behavioral changes may indicate lithium toxicity.
What are the considerations PT should take with BiPolar Disorder Drugs?
Being aware of the S/S of lithium toxicity is important to prevent further life-threatneing complications
What role does cholinergic activity play in Parkinson’s Disease?
It compensates for dopamine under secretion, causing rigidity in movement.
What are the two key neurotransmitters involved in controlling balance, posture, tone, and involuntary muscle movement?
- Dopamine
- Acetylcholine (Ach)