Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Pharmacology 201 > Psychiatric Drugs > Flashcards

Psychiatric Drugs Flashcards

1
Q

Statistics

A 
Psych drugs were the second most popular class of drugs, with antidepressants being most widely prescribed (2017).
A top 5 reason for physician visits.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a neuron?

A

nerve cells that transmit info through signals known as action potential. Neurons can send and receive information from other neurons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do neurons communicate with each other?

A

When they reach the end of the axon, the info must be passed along to other neurons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is neurotransmission and where does it take place?

A

Neurotransmission is when neurons send messages (neurotransmitters) to other neurons at the synapse.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the four steps of neurotransmission?

A

Synthesis, Release, Receptor Action, and Inactivation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Outline Synthesis.

A

Building blocks of neurotransmitters (like Dopamine and GABA) are imported into the terminal and packed into small vesicles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Outline Release.

A

When action potential reaches the terminal, the channels cause influx of calcium to release the transmitter. They are released across the membrane through exocytosis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Outline Receptor Action

A

Transmitter passes synaptic cleft and binds to a receptor on the post synaptic membrane.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Outline Inactivation

A

Transmitter is either taken back to terminal or inactivated. They can be inactivated by enzymes that break down neurotransmitters or through uptake (pack to pre-synaptic neuron).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which steps do most psychiatric drugs work on?

A

They impact the 3rd and 4th step of this process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a psychiatric disorder?

A

Change in mood, behavior or altered thinking. Also associated with significant distress and impaired function over an extended period of time. This impacts productivity and even health care costs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the causes of psychiatric disorders?

A

40% biological/physiological, and 60% environmental.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Give some examples of causes.

NDPSM

A

Neurodevelopmental defect (birth trauma or malnutrition can effect brain while its growing).
Drugs- substance abuse is one reason. The use of amphetamines can increase paranoia, hallucinations and trigger onset for psychotic disorder.
Medical conditions - Stroke (oxygen deprivation can impair area of brain that controls emotions and thinking)
Psychosocial experiences - emotional, physical or sexual abuse and neglect
Stress - financial burden, death etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are types of disorders?

A

Mood disorders such as depression, and bipolar disorder.
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
Anxiety disorders such as panic, excessive worry and fear.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are psychiatric drugs used for?

A
  • treat psychiatric disorders
  • very lipophilic because they can cross blood brain barrier and work in the CNS
  • they cannot cure the disorder but provide relief
  • usually life long treatment, but some anxiety pills are 6-12 months
  • slow onset
  • generally have many side effects
  • usually have a general overlap
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the pharmacokinetics of psychiatric drugs?

A
  • often administered orally
  • very lipid soluble
  • metabolized through liver
  • excreted through urine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the drug classes for depression?

A

Antidepressants –> MAOIS, TCAIS, SSRIS, and SNRIS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the drug classes for mood disorders like bipolar disorder?

A

Mood stabilizers–> lithium, and anticonvulsants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the drug classes for schizophrenia?

A

Antipsychotic –> typical and atypical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the drug classes for anxiety?

A

Anxiolytics–> BZDS, and azapirones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is depression?

A

Feelings of despair and may be present and may experience multiple episodes over life time.
affects ~8% of population, and 70% prevalent in women

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the symptoms?

A

apathy (withdrawal from social life), loss of interest (depressed mood) - one required

weight/appetite changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, guilt, inability to make decisions or remember things, and suicidal thoughts - 4 required

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How long do the depressive symptoms need to persist for?

A

2 weeks minimum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the MAOIS? (monoamine attached to aromatic ring)

A

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors are drugs that inhibit the Monoamine enzyme from breaking down monoamines such as serotonin, and norepinephrine. The MOA hypothesis states that depression is associated with low levels of S and NE. This leads to increase amount of NE and S available for neurotransmission in synapse for a longer time.

25
Q

Why should you avoid aged cheese, red wine and poultry while on an MOAIS.

A

Tyramine is broken down by monoamine oxidase. If monoamine oxidase is inhibited, the tyramine cannot be broken down. Tyramine can displace NE from vesicles and bind to alpha receptors, hence causing vasoconstriction.

26
Q

What is the first line treatment for depression?

A

SSRIS. MOAIS are the last line treatment.

27
Q

What are TCAS? (tricyclic)

A

Antidepressants that inhibit SERT and NET from taking NE and S back to the pre-synaptic terminal. As a result, it increases amount and time that S and NE remain in synapse.

28
Q

What are the side effects of TCAS?

A
  • not a very selective drug, has affinity for many receptors
  • anticholinergic effects
  • orthostatic hypotension (blocks beta receptors)
  • sedation
  • weight gain
  • cardiac arrhythmia
29
Q

What are SSRIS?

A

Drugs that selectively inhibit SERT from taking S to pre-synaptic terminal.

30
Q

What are the side effects of SSRIS?

A

They have less effects because they are very selective.

  • nausea
  • headache
  • drowsiness
  • sexual dysfunction
31
Q

What are SNRIS?

A

Drug that selectively inhibits SERT AND NET.

32
Q

What are the side effects of SNRIS?

A

Similar to SSRIS. Also, they can increase the chance for hypertension since more NE is available.

33
Q

What does meta-analysis say about depression?

A
  • anti-depressants are effective in acute depressive episodes, that are moderate to severe.
  • Mild depression is better treated with CBT.
34
Q

What is a bipolar disorder?

A

Depression and Mania (elated mood)

35
Q

What are the symptoms?

A

Need 4 for diagnosis for a week minimum

  • hyperactivity–> racing thoughts, fast speaking
  • increased irritability, restless
  • decreased need for sleep (~4 hrs)
  • impulsiveness (reckless behavior)
  • grandiose and delusional ideas (superpowers, feeling rich)
36
Q

What do mood stabilizers do?

A

effective in treating mania, but needs to be used in conjunction with an antidepressants.

37
Q

Why should antidepressants not be used alone as a mood stabilizer?

A

They may induce manic episodes and increase how often it happens.

38
Q

What is the first line treatment for bipolar disorder?

A

Lithium

39
Q

Characteristics of lithium

A
  • slow onset
  • can cross BBB with K+ and Na+ transporter since they are readily found in the body
  • because it has a charge, it is not metabolized
  • has a very narrow therapeutic index. Blood levels should be monitored during treatment
40
Q

What are the side effects of lithium?

A

more than 80% experience side effects:

  • tremors, hypothyroidism, weight gain, Polyuria and Polydipsia.
  • GI symptoms –> vomiting and diarrhea
41
Q

Why are anticonvulsants used?

A

If lithium fails

42
Q

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

A

deficits in thought processes, delusional thoughts, hallucinations, paranoia, and emotional responsiveness

43
Q

What is a positive and negative effect?

A

positive –> adding a symptom

negative –> loosing something as a result

44
Q

How long do the symptoms need to persist for?

A

one month minimum, with one positive symptom

45
Q

What are the positive/negative symptoms?

A

hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking

lack of motivation, social withdrawal, and poverty of speech

46
Q

Typical anti-psychotics (second line treatment)

A
  • Effective against positive symptoms
  • is a D2 receptor antagonist
  • effects: involuntary movement, spasms, lip movements, twitching
47
Q

Schizophrenia is said to be due to_______.

A

excessive levels of dopamine in the brain

48
Q

Atypical anti-psychotics (first line treatment)

A
  • D2 antagonists and serotonin receptor antagonists
  • treats both pos and neg symptoms
  • effects: can cause weight gain, and insulin resistance
49
Q

The pos symptoms are due to____ and the neg symptoms are due to_____.

A

a) dopamine

b) seretonin

50
Q

Symptoms of anxiety disorders

A
  • physiological: intense fear, worry, difficulty concentrating, insomnia etc
  • physical: shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, nausea, trembling, sweating
51
Q

types of anxiety disorders

A

panic, generalized anxiety, and phobias (social, agoraphobia)

52
Q

What is anxiety associated with?

A

low levels of GABA

53
Q

What are the drugs of Anxiety?

A

Benzodiazepines and Azapirones

54
Q

What do Benzodiazepines do?

A

-fast onset + long duration
BZDs are selective to benzodiazepine receptors on GABAA receptors, and upon binding enhance the activity of GABA by causing a greater influx of Cl in the neuron, causing hyper polarization and neuronal inhibition (decreases probability of cell firing action potential, and thus decreases brain activity).

55
Q

Why is the recommended use for BZDS so low?

A

-drug dependency and tolerance issues

56
Q

Why should alcohol be avoided when using BZDS?

A

-can lead to respiratory depression and death

57
Q

What do Azapirones do?

A
  • slow onset
  • good long term treatment
  • non sedating
  • effects: dizziness, headache, nausea
58
Q

Why do people not take their meds?

A

forgetfulness, side effects, paranoia, expense, administration, don’t feel like they have the symptoms

59
Q

Which of the following is a class of first-line drug class given to patients with anxiety disorders?

A

SSRIS

Pharmacology 201 (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions