Psychiatric Medications Flashcards
what are the 3 core symptoms of depression
low mood, lack of energy and anhedonia
what are some of the biological symptoms of depression
decreased appetite, sleep disturbances
what are some of the physical symptoms of depression
negative thoughts, reduced concentration, irritability
name 3 types of monoamine uptake inhibitors
SSRIs, TCAs, SNRIs
what is the first line treatment for depression
SSRIs
name an example of a SSRI
fluoxetine and citelopram
how do TCAs work
inhibit NA re-uptake, reduce cholingeric neurotransmission, block alpha 1 receptors
how do SSRIs work
increase the amount of serotonin in the synaptic clefts
give an example of a TCA
amitiptyline
give an example of a SNRI
VENLAFAXINE
why are monoamine oxidase inhibitors no longer used
lots of side effects
what are some of the positive symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia
hallucinations and delusions
what are some of the negative symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia
lack of insight, lack of motivation, poor concentration
what pathways is dopamine involved in which are important in schizophrenia
mesolimbic, mesocortical, nigrostriatal, tuberoinfundibular pathways
what pathway(s) are positively affected by using D2 blockers
mesolimbic as this is reduced
what 3 neurotransmitters are thought to be important in schizophrenia
dopamine, serotonin, glutamate
give an example of a typical antipsychotic
haloperidol
what are some side effects of typical antipsychotics
parkinsons symptoms, hypotension, increased prolactin, weight gain
which atypical antipsychotic can particularly cause weight gain
olanzapine
which atypical antipsychotic can particularly cause prolactin production
risperidone
why is clozapine not used as a first line treatment despite it being an atypical antipsychotic
high amount of side effects including constipation, weight gain and constipation
what is bipolar disorder
where a patient experiences periods of depression and mania
what will a patient be like in mania periods of bipolar disorder
unusually excited, overactive, rapid speech. poor judgement, psychotic symptoms
what mood stabiliser is mostly used in bipolar disorder
lithium
what are some side effects of lithium use
hypothyroidism, weight gain, hair loss, kidney affects, polyuria, tremor
what are the different types of mood stabilisers used in bipolar disorder
lithium, sodium valproate, carbamezepine, lamotrigine
what is anxiety
where the patient has a fear which is out of proportion to the stimulus
what are the behavioural symptoms of anxiety
avoidance of stimulus
what are the psychological symptoms of anxiety
fear of dying/going crazy
what are the physical symptoms of anxiety
palpitations, tremor, shortness of breath, nausea, light headedness
what is the first line treatment for anxiety
CBT
what drugs can be used to help treat anxiety
benzodiazepines
how do benzodiazepines work
enhance GABA transmission therefore causing a reduction in stimulation and anxiety
what are the problems with benzodiazepines
- develop tolerance
- withdrawal symptoms
- side effects
what are the side effects of benzodiazepines
dry mouth, drowsiness, GI upset, headache, rash
what should be given in a benzodiazepines overdose
fluazenil
what drugs can be used in dementia
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
NMDA antagonists
