Pharm Quiz 3 (Exam 2) Flashcards
What are the primary goals for sedative - hypnotic and anti anxiety drugs?
- relax patient
- Promote normal sleep
- decrease anxiety
What is the primary agent for sedative- hypnotic and anti anxiety drugs?
- Benzodiazepines
- Many others
What is the mechanism of benzodiazepines?
- Increase effects of GABA
- Bind to a specific receptor (GABAa receptor) in brain
What is GABA?
Inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases excitation throughout the CNS
Diazepam (Valium) and other benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety and insomnia bind to specific GABA receptors in the CNS, and inhibit neuronal activity by (BLANK) the conductance of (BLANK) ions into the neurons
- Increasing
- Chloride
What are “Z” drugs?
- Newer sedative hypnotics
What is the mechanism of Z drugs?
- Not benzodiazepines
- Still bind to GABA receptors in brain (alpha 1 subunit)
What is the mechanism of the new sedative - hypnotic drug, Eszopiclone (Lunesta)?
- Non Benzodiazepines
- Binds to GABA receptors (alpha 1 subunit)
What is the mechanism of Ramelteon (Rozerem) (newer sedative - hypnotic) ?
Melatonin receptor agonist
What is the mechanism of Azapirones (buspirone) (BuSpar)?
Stimulate serotonin receptors in CNS
What is a benefit of Azapirones?
- May decrease anxiety with less sedation and less dependence
What is a drawback of Azapirones (Newer antianxiety drugs) ?
- Slow onset
- Moderate efficacy
What is a benefit of Z drugs?
May produce fewer problems when stopped (less rebound insomnia)
What is the benefit of using antidepressants as anxiolytics?
- May have fewer side effects; less chance of addiction
T/F: Antidepressant’s can not have a direct anxiolytic effect
- False (They can)
- Anxiety often occurs with depression so patients may need both types of drugs
- Paroxetine (Paxil) & Venlafaxine (Effexors) are examples
What are some adverse effects of sedative hypnotics?
- Residual (hangover) effects
- Anterograde amnesia
- Complex behaviors (sleep walking/ driving)
What are some adverse effects of sedative hypnotics and anti anxiety meds?
- Rebound effect (insomnia, increased anxiety)
- Falls
- Tolerance & dependence
What are some non- drug strategies that might complement and eventually replace drugs for sleep disorder/ insomnia?
- Regular exercise
- Decrease caffeines
- Establish pre bedtime routine
- Sleeping environment
- Dark, quiet room
- No TV, phone
- Soothing sounds (white noise)
What are some non- drug strategies that might complement and eventually replace drugs for anxiety?
- Regular exercise
- Try to identify & reduce source of anxiety
- Counseling, support groups
- Meditation, relaxation techniques
What are some rehab concerns of sedative hypnotics and anti anxiety drugs?
- Treat sxm not the cause
- Trade off: benefit vs sedation, risk of falls, possible long term on brain
What is depression?
- Most common mental illness
- Sadness that is incapacitating
What is the neurophysiology of depression?
Theory is it is caused by defect in CNS biogenic amines (Norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin )
What is the drug strategy for depression?
Increase/ prolong effects of amine transmitters
What are the types of antidepressants?
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
- Serotonin Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI)
- Tricyclics
- MAO inhibitors
- Others
Other type of Antidepressant:
What is the mechanism of Nefazodone (Serzone) & Trazodone (Desyrel)?
Block serotonin receptors and serotonin reuptake
Other Type of antidepressant:
What is the mechanism of Bupropion (Wellbutrin)?
Norepinephrine- dopamine reuptake inhibitor
In general what is the mechanism of antidepressant drugs; SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics; others?
Inhibit reuptake of one or more amine neurotransmitters
In general what is the mechanism of antidepressant drugs MAO inhibitors?
Decrease neurotransmitter breakdown
Upon reaching the brain, most antidepressant drugs (BLANK) the effects of (BLANK)
- Prolong
- Amine neurotransmitter such as norepinephrine, serotonin & dopamine
What is the latest theory as to why prolonged amine neurotransmitter, decrease depression?
- Drugs increase activity of amine neurotransmitters
- Increase transmitter activity increases brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
- BDNF stimulates growth (neurogenesis) in hippocampus
What is the adverse effect of tricyclics?
- Sedation
- Anticholinergic effects
- Cardiovascular issues (ortho hypo, arrhyth’s)
- Seizures
- Increase risk of fatal OD
What is the adverse effect of MAO inhibitors?
- CNS excitation
- Increase BP (especially with other drugs/ foods that catecholamine release)
What is the adverse effects of SSRI & SNRI?
- Generally better tolerated
- May increase seizures
- Some GI problems
What medication is serotonin syndrome possible with and when does this occur?
- Possible with all antidepressants
- Occurs when CNS serotonin receptors are overstimulated
What are some symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
- Increase HR/BP
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Dystonias
- Dyskinesias
- Muscle pain
- GI problems
In antidepressants when do they take effect and when you see max effects?
- Often 1-2 wks before taking effect
- May take 6-8 wks for max effect
There is a time lag before beneficial effects from antidepressants what may this cause?
- Increase depression during initial treatment (especially in teenagers & children)
What is ketamine usually used for?
Used to initiate and maintain anesthesia in certain situations (dissociative effect)
What is the mechanism of ketamine?
Blocks NMDA receptors which decrease effects of excitatory amino acids
When would ketamine be used as an antidepressant?
- Sub anesthetic doses may cause decrease in depression in severe, resistant cases that have no respond to other treatments
How long does it take for ketamine to take effect?
- Rapidly
- Benefits sometimes seen within hours of 1st dose
How can ketamine be administered?
- Single slow IV infusions (repeated as needed)
- Nasal Spray (1-2 times per week)
What are the potential problems with ketamine use?
- High abuse potential & side effects limit widespread use
What are some common syndromes that antidepressants may be used for chronic pain?
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
- Headache
- Low back pain
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Other chronic pain syndrome
What is the classic treatment of bipolar syndrome?
Lithium
- Prevents manic episodes
What is the big problem with lithium and how does it occur?
- Lithium Toxicity
- Lithium is an element not degraded in body and eliminated intact by kidneys
- If problems with kidney lithium can accumulate rapidly and cause lithium toxicity
Range of serum levels of lithium effects for:
Maintenance Phase
Acute manic episode
Toxicity Begins
Toxicity require treatment
Maintenance: 0.6-1.2
Acute manic episode: 1.0-1.5
Toxicity begins: about 1.5
Require treatment: >2.0
What is the symptoms of mild lithium toxicity in the CNS?
- Fine hand tremor
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech