psychiatry Flashcards
What is an addictive behaviour?
repeated behaviours
that dominate the patient’s life to the detriment of social, occupational,
material and family values and commitments
What is the mechanism of SSRIs?
inhibit the reuptake of serotonin from
presynaptic serotonin pumps
What are SSRIs indicated in?
depression, anxiety, OCD, bulimia nervosa
Give 5 examples of SSRIs
sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram,
escitalopram
which SSRI should be used in under 18s?
fluoxetine
what are the side effects of SSRIs?
GI symptoms, anxiety/agitation, insomnia,
sweating, sex (anorgasmia)
associated with increased suicidality, can
cause hyponatraemia, cytochrome-mediated interactions
(fluoxetine)
what can SSRI withdrawal cause?
dizziness, headache, tremor, agitation, GI issues ~
especially paroxetine and sertraline
what is the mechanism of action of SNRIs?
presynaptic blockade of both noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake
pumps (in high doses also blocks dopamine reuptake); low effects on muscarinic,
histaminergic and alpha-adrenergic receptors.
what are SNRIs indicated for use in?
depression and anxiety
what are the side effects of SNRIs?
dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, hot flushes
what is the mechanism of action of NaSSAs?(Noradrinergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressants)
presynaptic alpha2 blockage -> increased noradrenaline and
serotonin from presynaptic neurons; histamine antagonist
give an example of an NaSSA
mirtazapine
what are the side effects of NaSSAs?
sedation and weight gain (blocking histamine), headache, postural
hypotension, dizziness, tremor
what is the mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants?
blockade of both noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake pumps (also
dopamine to a small extent). Muscarinic, histaminergic, alpha-adrenergic.
give an example of a tricyclic antidepressant
amitryptyline
what are tricyclic antidepressants indicated in?
depression, anxiety, OCD, chronic pain (much lower dose),
nocturnal enuresis
when are tricyclic antidepressants contraindicated?
IHD, arrhythmias, severe liver disease, overdose risk
what are the three main groups of side effect in tricyclic antidepressants?
anticholinergic
antiadrinergic
antihistaminergic
what are anticholinergic effects?
dry mouth, constipation,
blurred vision, urinary retention
what are antiadrinergic side effects?
postural hypotension, dizziness and syncope
what are antihistaminergic side effects?
sedation and weight gain
what are the cardiac side effects of tricyclic antidepressants?
prolonged QT, heart block, arrhythmias, palpitations
what are the side effects of MAOIs?
risk of overdose
hypertensive crisis with cheese (high levels of tyramine)
give 2 examples of MAOIs
isocarboxazid, phenelzine
what is lithium licensed for use in?
mania (acute/prophylaxis), treatment-resistant depression,
aggression and impulsivity, mood stabilisation
how is lithium metabolised and excreted?
renally- avoid NSAIDs, ACEi and diuretics
what baseline blood tests should be done before starting lithium?
FBC, U&E, Ca2+, PO4*3, thyroid, ECG, pregnancy
what are the ranges of lithium?
normal: 0.5-1
signs of toxicity: 1.5-2
signs of severe toxicity: >2
what are the side effects of lithium
polyuria, polydipsia, weight gain, oedema, fine tremor
serious side effects: coarse tremor, ECG changes, arrhythmias, nystagmus, dysarthria, brisk reflexes, impaired consciousness
teratogenic
what congenital abnormality does lithium cause?
Ebstein’s anomaly- congenital malformation of tricuspid valve
what is sodium valproate indicated for?
mood stabiliser, anticonvulsive, migraine
what are the side effects of sodium valproate?
weight gain, dizziness, hair loss, n+v, tremor, deranged LFTs
what are benzodiazepines indicated for use in?
anxiety (short term in extreme cases only), mania, psychosis,
alcohol withdrawal, insomnia, acute agitation/aggression, epilepsy, acute back pain
what is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
bind to GABA receptor -> neuronal inhibition
give some examples of benzodiazepines
lorazepam (short acting), diazepam (longer acting), midazolam, chlordiazepoxide
what are the cautions with benzodiazepines and when should they be avoided?
can be addictive if taken long term, resp and CNS depressant effects (so
check if other CNS depressants being taken eg xs alcohol or antipsychotics)
Avoid in neuro disease, severe resp disease
what are Z-drugs used for and what are some examples?
used to initiate sleep e.g. zopiclone
how do Z-drugs work?
stimulate GABA receptor
what are the risks with Z drugs?
similar to benzos, can become dependant, cautioned against in resp and neuro disease
what are antipsychotics indicated for use in?
psychosis, mania, depression, refractory anxiety, PTSD,
behavioural challenges in dementia, tourettes, rapid tranquilisation
what is the mechanism of typical antipsychotics and how do these lead to side effects?
antagonise D2 receptors involved in: mesolimbic (delusions and hallucinations), mesocortical (negative symptoms), substantia nigra (movement, blocking -> extrapyramidal side effects), tuberoinfundibular (prolactin secretion -> sexual function and libido), chemoreceptor trigger zone (n+v)
what are some examples of typical antipsychotics?
haloperidol, chlorpromazine, flupentixol
what is the mechanism of atypical antipsychotics and how does this lead to side effects?
block 5HT2 receptor ->
metabolic side effects (eg weight gain,
impaired glycaemic control, lipid elevation)