Psych Drugs Flashcards
Used in treatment of emotional/mental disorders
psychotherapeutic drugs
Reduce anxiety by reducing overactivity of the CNS
Anxiolytic drugs
enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA
What do benzo’s do?
Reduce alcohol withdrawal
increase the inhibitory actions of GABA in brain
Benzos depress
activity in brainstem & limbic system
Suddenly stopping benzos can cause
life-threatening reaction of withdrawal symptoms:
nervousness Restlessness Tremulousness Weakness Seizures
Buspirone (Buspar)
Nonsedating; non habit forming
Cannot be taken with certain antidepressants (SSRIs) (MAOIs)
Buspirone increases
norepinephrine metabolism to relieve anxiety
Benzo’s CNS effects
nervousness
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
HR & BP changes
Benzos are what?
highly addictive
Benzos are used to treat
alcohol withdrawal
Insomnia
muscle spasms
as well as depression
How to reverse benzo effects (drowsiness; lethargy; confusion)
Flumazenil (Romazicon)
Symptoms are not disabling
dysthymia (depressive disorder)
Untreated can progress to pyschosis
Bipolar disorder
Used to treat bipolar illness
mood stabilizing drugs
Antidepressant drugs require what?
@ least 6 weeks of therapy
Antidepressant drugs should be used in conjunction with
Pyschotherapy
higher risk of suicide
Other indications for antidepressants
Dysthymia
Schizo
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
TCAs block
re uptake of neurotransmitters causing accumulation @ nerve endings
Oldest used TCA
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Amitriptyline (Elavil) used to treat
insomnia & neuropathic pain
Amitriptyline (Elavil) contraindications
KDA
pregnancy
recent MI
Amitriptyline (Elavil) adverse effects
Antichloingeric effects: blurred vision; dry mouth; tachycardia
AKA MONITOR URINE OUTPUT
Tricyclic overdose
no specific antidote
activated charcoal
manage seizures & dysrhythmias
hallmark signs for psychosis
Hallucinations
Delusions
Positive symptoms for antipsychotics
Hallucinations
Delusions
Conceptual disorganizations
Symptoms you have gained
Negative symptoms for antipsychotics
Apathy
Social withdrawal
blunted affect
Poverty of speech
Symptoms taken away from you
adverse effects of Antipyschotic drugs
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (Check fever) Extrapyramidal symptoms (involuntary muscle symptoms) Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary contractions of oral & facial muscles)
adverse effects of clozapine (clozaril)
blood dyscrasias
Monitor WBC
