Psych Flashcards
5 classes of psychotropics
Antidepressants • Stimulants • Mood Stabilizers • Anxiolytics and Hypnotics • Antipsychotics (Neuroleptics)
Classes of Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants Monoamline oxidase inhibitors SSRI SNRI Atypical Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) MOA
prevent the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin (5-HT) into presynaptic nerve terminals
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) MOA
block the action of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters inside the presynaptic nerve terminals. In other words, MAOIs slow the destruction of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain.
SSRI MOA
prevent the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic nerve terminals.
SNRI MOA
prevent the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine into presynaptic nerve terminals.
TCA Disadvantages
– Action on histamine and Ach – Orthostatic hypotension – Cardiac effects – Potential death via overdose
5-HT
5-hydroxtryptamaine
TCA used in
Migraine prevention, sleep, depression, and chronic pain
TCA consideration
taper off if they have been on long term to prevent symptoms of withdrawal or relapse of depression
TCA side effects
anticholinergic side effects due to histamine and Ach action.
TCA is a bad option
for people with active SI due to risk for overdose.
MAOI disadvantages
Hypertensive crisis/Tyramine – Drug interactions – Orthostatic hypotension – Serotonin syndrome
MAOI are not used
1st, 2nd or 3rd line. Used for treatment resistant or refractory depression
MAOI interact with
virtually everything
foods that contain tyramine
aged foods, like processed meats, beef or chicken liver,, yogurt, peperoni, bologna, sour cream, bananas, raisons, soy sauce, beer, whine, yeast, chocolate. CAN LEAD TO A HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS