Psychiatry Drugs Flashcards
5 types of antidepressants
- Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Name the 5 main SSRIs
- Sertraline
- Fluoxetine
- Paroxetine
- Citalopram
- Escitalopram
Best SSRI for children/adolescents
Fluoxetine
Best SSRI for post MI
Sertraline
Side effects of SSRIs
- Hyponatraemia
- GI upset (prescribe PPI if also on NSAID)
- increased anxiety and agitation after starting
- risk of CHD (1st trimester of pregnancy)
- risk of persistent pulmonary HTN (3rd trimester of pregnancy)
What drugs are contraindicated with SSRIs
- Triptans
- MAOIs
- Warfarin and Heparin
As they all increase serotonin (risk of serotonin syndrome)
Ideally 2 weeks between stopping and starting
Stopping taking SSRIs suddenly can lead to
SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome
- should gradually reduce over 4 weeks
- not necessary for fluoxetine
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- abdo pain
- blue-tinted vision
SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome
- should gradually reduce over 4 weeks
- not necessary for fluoxetine
Specific side effects of Paroxetine
High incidence of discontinuation symptoms
- paresthesia
- mood changes
- restlessness
- sweating
- GI upset
Risk of congenital malformations in 1st trimester (pregnancy)
Specific side effects of Citalopram
- prolongs QT
- Torsades de pointes
Specific side effects of Escitalopram
- prolongs QT
2 examples of SNRIs
- Venlafaxine
- Duloxetine
MoA of SNRIs
Increase concentrations of serotonin and noradrenaline into the synaptic cleft
Side effects of SNRIs
HTN
3 examples of MAOIs
- Phenelzine
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
What food should you avoid if on MAOIs
Avoid foods high in tyramine (cheese), as they can cause a hypertensive crisis
- extreme headache etc
What class of drugs does Mirtazapine belong to?
Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant
MoA of noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants
Alpha-2-receptor antagonists increase the release of neurotransmitters
Side effects of noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant
- increased appetite
- increased weight gain
- sedative (take at night)
- headache from withdrawal
30mg is sweet spot
Tricyclic antidepressants can be split into 2 classes
sedative + less-sedative
4 examples of sedative tricyclic antidepressants
- Amitriptyline
- Clomipramine
- Dosulepin
- Trazodone
3 examples of less-sedative tricyclic antidepressants
- Imipramine
- Nortriptyline
- Lofepramine
Amitriptyline and Dosulepin are at risk of
overdosing
Side effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants
Anti-muscarinic side effects
- urinary retention
- tachycardia
- dry mouth
- mydriasis
- drowsiness
- blurred vision
- increased QT