Psych stuff you forget Flashcards
What are the 4 dopaminergic tracts in the brain and what is there function?
Mesolimbic pathway – brainstem to nucleus Accumbens – reward centre and salience. Blocking
Mesocortical pathway – VTA to neocortex – emotion control, executive function Nigrostriatal pathway - SN to BG. Used for movement.
Tuberoinfundibular pathway – hypothalamus to pituitary. Dopamine inhibits prolactin release.
What abnormalities are their in the dopaminergic pathways in psychosis/schizophrenia
Underactivity in Mesocortical pathway – decreased emotions/negative symptoms
Overactivity in mesolimbic pathway – increased salience to label stimuli.
Describe SE of typical antipsychotics related to the 4 dopaminergic tracts.
Antipsychotics block D2 receptors.
- By blocking mesolimbic pathway we reduce reward
- By blocking Mesocortical we worsen negative symptoms (neuroleptic dysphoria – feel deadened)
- By blocking nigrostriatal we increase muscle tone – acute dystonia’s, akathisia, long term tardive dyskinesia.
- By blocking tuberoinfundibular pathway can get excess prolactin release (menstrual difficult, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea).
What can we give to treat acute dystonia’s with if antipsychotic SE?
Procyclidine.
Can give benzos initially.
What can acute dystonia’s lead to if untreated?
Tardive dyskinesia – slow rolling movements of the mouth and tongue. This is irreversible so reduce antipsychotic dose if this is happening.
Name 3 typical antipsychotics
CHaFT P
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Flupentixol
Trifluoperazine
Pipotiazine
Name 3 atypical antipsychotics
QuARC OA
Quetiapine
Aripiprazole
Risperidone Clozapine
Olanzapine
Amisulpride
what do you need to check for clozapine
FBC – agranulocytosis
Constipation (otherwise bowel obstruction and death).
What are indications for clozapine?
Failed treatment from 2 other antipsychotics.
Special about olanzapine and specific SEs
Longest elimination half-life.
Weight gain and T2DM
Special about Risperidone
Most commonly causes hyperprolactinaemia
Some SE of atypical antipsychotics
Wide range due to their blockade on dopamine receptors.
These include metabolic syndrome, dystonia, dyskinesia, hyperprolactinaemia, prolonged QT.
NMS – definition, aetiology, symptoms, treatment
A rare psych emergency.
Initiation of anti-dopaminergic medication (antipsychotics) or withdrawal of dopamine agonists (levodopa).
Fever, sweating/autonomic instability, dysphagia, muscle rigidity and confusion.
Treat with bromocriptine – a dopamine agonist.
How do we treat acute psychosis?
Oral/IM benzodiazepine (Lorazepam) and/or antipsychotics.
If patient aggressive/violent then parenteral RT (BDZs – lorazepam, haloperidol)
What kind of SE’s do typical antipsychotics cause
Extrapyramidal SE
Hyperprolactinaemia
Name 3 mood stabilisers
Lithium, sodium valproate and carbamazepine
Name a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and its indications
These are indicated in treatment resistant major depression.
Examples include phenelzine
How to treat alcohol withdrawal?
Generally, long acting BDZs like chlordiazepoxide or diazepam.
In hepatic failure lorazepam is preferred.
1st line drug in ADHD
Methylphenidate – a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Describe SSRI and NSAID interaction
Avoid SSRIs in NSAIDs due to increased risk of GI bleeding. Consider another class of antidepressant or co-prescribe a PPI (be aware of interactions).
Can you give SSRI with sumatriptan?
Triptans are 5HT3 receptor agonists (serotonin) so you cannot due to unacceptable risk of serotonin syndrome.
Can you give SSRI with warfarin/heparin?
No increased risk of bleeding. Consider Mirtazapine but INR may still increase.
Name 3 special things about the SSRI sertraline
Lowest potential for drug interactions
Only SSRI show dose/response curve
Also recommended 1st line in GAD
Name 2 special things about Fluoxetine
Lowest rate of discontinuation symptoms due to long half-life meaning cannot be used in breastfeeding
Recommended 1st line for patients <18
Name 1 special thing about citalopram
Most associated with dose dependent QTC prolongation
What kind of drug is Mirtazapine and name 2 SE’s
It is a NaSSA used 2nd line for moderate/severe depression
Anti-histamine effects - associated with significant weight gain and day time drowsiness (hence useful in insomnia).
What kind of drug is Venlafaxine?
SNRI
What kind of drug is Paroxetine and state 1 special thing about it
SSRI – most likely to cause discontinuation symptoms
What kind of drug is Bupropion?
Atypical antidepressant (dual inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake)
Used in smoking cessation. Contraindicated in AN.
State SSRI discontinuation symptoms
Mood change, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, unsteadiness, sweating, GI symptoms, paraesthesia.
What medication changes if SSRI not worked?
Generally, try a second SSRI. If still doesn’t work then a third is unlikely to.
Instead Venlafaxine (SNRI), Mirtazapine or TCA.
Name 5 indications for BDZs
Sedation (rapid tranqulisation)
Hypnotic – reduce anxiety, pain control, behaviour.
Anxiolytic
Anticonvulsant
Muscle relaxant
Diazepam is used 1st line for seizures/status epileptics. And severe, disabling anxiety.
What is a general difference between anxiolytics and hypnotics?
Hypnotics will sedate during the day
Anxiolytics (sedatives) induce sleep at night
How do BDZs work?
Enhance the effect of GABA receptor, a chloride channel that opens in response to GABA – hyperpolarises the neuron.
Patients commonly develop tolerance and dependence – should only be prescribed for 2-4 weeks.
Name 4 BDZs, their relative duration of action and an indication
Diazepam – long acting, alcohol withdrawal
Lorazepam – intermediate acting, anxiety
Temazepam – intermediate acting, insomnia
Midazolam – short acting, sedation.
Long acting BDZs like lorazepam or Diazepam is preferred for seizures. In sedation, short action is preferred.
What is the problem with long acting BDZs?
Diazepam has an elimination half-life of 72hrs which can cause daytime sedation or the hangover effect
State some symptoms of BDZ withdrawal
Severe – confusion, toxic psychosis, convulsions. Resembles delirium tremens
What is an important SE of BDZs?
Respiratory depression – careful if opioids are co-prescribed.
Name a class of sedative
H1 receptor antagonists – promethazine and cyclizine.
Which drugs are related to impulse control disorder?
Dopamine agonists (bromociptine, cabergoline) – Parkinson’s patient.
How do Z-hypnotics work?
Stimulate the subunit of the GABA receptor to exert effects – binds to a distinct site to BDZs but has a similar effect
Name 2 indications for Z-hypnotics
Zopiclone – used for insomnia and anxiety but prolonged use should be avoided due to tolerance and addiction
What medication do you prescribe for personality disorder?
Medication does not help unless used to treat comorbidities
State 1st and 2nd line pharmacological interventions for GAD
1st – sertraline or alternative SSRI/SNRI. Requires weekly follow-up first month.
If cant tolerate, offer pregabalin.
Can also offer beta blockers for symptoms.
Describe treatment for panic disorder
BDZs not recommended. Sedating antihistamines or antipsychotics are not normally prescribed but may help.
State 3 TCA’s
Imipramine, Clomipramine and amitriptyline
What antipsychotic can be used in acute bipolar disorder?
Quetiapine is good due to its extra sedative effect.
Also, olanzapine/risperidone.
How can we treat heroin addiction?
Substitute, e.g. methadone.