Pharmacology Flashcards
Which type of drugs are capable of crossing the blood brain barrier?
Hydrophobic/Lipophilic drugs
What causes depression?
A functional deficit in mono-amine neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin and noradrenaline.
Can drugs cause depression?
Yes, if they deplete monoamine stores.
What is the role of noradrenaline?
Involved in arousal and emotion.
What is the role of serotonin?
Involved in mood, sleep, feeding and sensory perception.
What is the role of MAO inhibitors?
Block monoamine oxidase, causing the build-up of neurotransmitters.
Can be reversible or irreversible.
What is a major side-effect of MAO inhibitors?
Hypertensive crisis.
This can be fatal.
What food must be avoided when on MAO inhibitors?
Cheese
How do tricyclic antidepressants work?
They block the reuptake of neurotransmitters into the presynaptic cleft.
What is the difference between tricyclics and SSRIs?
Tricyclics are non-selective.
SSRIs are selective to serotonin.
Tricyclic antidepressants tend to be anticholinergic, what side-effects are associated with these drugs?
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Constipation
Urinary retention
What is an example of a tricyclic antidepressant?
Amitriptyline
What is an example of an SSRI?
Fluoxetine
What should be given alongside an SSRI if side-effects present?
Mirtazapine
What are the most commonly used benzodiazepines in psychiatry?
Diazepam
Lorazepam
Chlordiazepoxide
What type of drugs are phenelzine and moclobemide?
MAO inhibitors
Phenelzine has an irreversible effect, whilst moclobemide is reversible.
Why are benzodiazepines only given for a short-term?
Some develop tolerance and/or dependence
What type of drug is pregabalin?
A calcium channel blocker.
What are the first-generation anti-psychotics?
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Prochlorperazine
What are the second-generation anti-psychotics?
Clozapine Olanzapine Risperidone Paliperidone Lurasidone
What are 3 examples of SSRIs?
Fluoxetine
Citalopram
Sertraline
What are 2 examples of SNRIs?
Venlafaxine
Duloxetine
What are 3 examples of anticonvulsants?
Valproic acid
Lamotrigine
Carbamazepine
How is a specific benzodiazepine selected for a patient?
All have the same mechanism.
Chosen for how long/how quickly they act.
What can be used to manage palpitations and tremor?
Beta-blockers
What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter within the brain?
GABA
