Psycho-Pharmacology Flashcards
How long do antidepressants take to kick in?
3-4 weeks
How long do anti-psychotics take to kick in?
up to 6 weeks
Indications for antidepressants
Unipolar and bipolar depression organic mood disorders schizoaffective disorder anxiety disorders including OCD Panic social phobia PTSD premenstrual dysphoric disorder impulsivity associated with personality disorders
How long would you try an antidepressant for if no improvement is seen and you switch to another antidepressant or augment with another agent?
At least two months
4 types of antidepressant drugs
Tricyclics (TCA)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MOIs)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin/Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Novel antidepressants
Side effects of TCAs
VERY HIGH SIDE EFFECT PROFILE antihistaminic anticholinergic antiadrenergic QT lengthening
How much of TCA would it take for an overdose?
LETHAL in overdose
even a one week supply can be lethal
Side effects of tertiary TCAs
antihistaminic (sedation and weight gain)
Anticholintergic (dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, memory deficits and potentially delirium)
antiadrenergic (orthostatic hypotension, sedation, sexual dysfunction)
What do tertiary TCAs predominately act on?
Serotonin Receptors
Examples of tertiary TCAs
Imipramine
Amytriptyline
Doxepin
Clomipramine
Side effects of secondary TCAs
Same as TCAs but generally less severe
Examples of secondary TCAs
Desipramine
Noritriptyline
What would be used to treat depression
Start with SSRI then switch
to SNRI
What are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) very effective for?
Depression
Side effects of MAOIs
orthrostatic hypotension weight gain dry mouth sedation Sexual dysfunction sleep disturbance
What reaction can occur with MAOIS?
Cheese reaction - hypertensive crisis when MAIOs are taken with tyramine rich foods or symphatomimetics
What syndrome can develop if MAOIs are taken with meds that increase serotonin or have sympahtetomimetic actions?
Serotonin syndrome
What do SSRIs do?
Block the presynaptic serotonin reuptake
What does SSRI treat?
Both depressive and anxiety symptoms
Side effects of SSRI
GI upset Sexual dysfunction (30+) anxiety restlessness nervousness insomnia fatigue or sedation dizziness
How toxic are SSRIs?
Pretty untoxic
Stopping SSRIs can give what?
A discontinuation syndrome with agitation, nausea, disequilibrium and dysphoria - but only lasts 1 week
3 examples of SSRIs
Paroxetine
Sertraline
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
What do SNRIs do?
Inhibit both serotonin and noradrenergic reuptake like TCAs but without antihistamine, antiadrenic or anticholingergic side effects
What are SNRIs used for?
Depression
Anxiety
Neuropathic pain