Psycho-pharmacology I&II Flashcards
What are the indications for anti-depressants?
Unipolar and bipolar depression Organic mood disorders Schizoaffective disorder Anxiety disorders OCD, panic, social phobia, PTSD Premenstrual dysphoric disorder Impulsivity associated with personality disorders
What is antidepressant selected based on?
Past history of response
Side effect profile
Co-existing medical problems
What is delay for anti-depressants to work?
3-6wks
How long should trial of antidepressant be before switching?
At least 2mo
What are the classes of antidepressants?
Tricyclics (TCAs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Selective serotonin rey-take inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin/noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Novel antidepressants
What are the side effect profile of TCAs?
Antihistaminic: sedation and weight gain
Anticholinergic: dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, memory deficits, potential delirium
Antiadrenergic: orthostatic hypotension, sedation, sexual dysfunction
Which antidepressant is lethal in overdose?
TCAs
Which antidrepressant can cause QT lengthening?
TCAs
What receptors do tertiary TCAs work on?
Serotonin
What are examples of tertiary TCAs?
Imipramine
Amitriptyline
Doxepin
Clomipramine
What are examples of secondary TCAs?
Desipramine
Notrtriptyline
What are side effects of MAOIs?
Orthostatic hypotension Weight gain Dry mouth Sedation Sexual dysfunction Sleep disturbance
What can happen if MAOIs taken with tyramine-rich foods?
Hypertensive crisis
What are serotonin syndrome symptoms?
Abdo pain Diarrhoea Sweats Tachycardia HTN Myoclonus Irritability Delirium --> Hyperpyrexia, CVS shock, death
How to avoid serotonin syndrome?
Wait 2 weeks before switching SSRI to MAOI
5 wks for fluxetine
How do MAOIs work?
Bind irreversibly to monoamine oxides preventing inactivation of amines e.g. norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin
How do SSRis work?
Block presynaptic serotonin re-uptake
What do SSRIs treat?
Anxiety and depressive sx
What are the most common side effects of SSRIs?
GI upset Sexual dysfunction Anxiety Restlessness Nervousness Insomnia Fatigue Sedation Dizziness
What symptoms can develop with discontinuation of SSRIs?
Agitation
Nausea
Disequilibrium
Dysphoria
What are examples of SSRIs?
Paroxetine Sertraline Fluoxetine (Prozac) Citalopram Excitalopram Fluvoxamine
What are the advantages of paroxetine?
Short half-life
Sedating properties fro anxiety/insomnia
What are disadvantages of paroxetine?
Sedating, wt gain, more anticholinergic effects
Cause discontinuation syndrome
What are advantages of sertraline?
Less sedating then paroxetine
What are cons of sertraline?
Needs full stomach
Increase GI ADR
What are pros of fluoxetine (Prozac)?
Decreased incidence discontinuation syndromes
May provide increased energy
What are cons of fluoxetine (Prozac)?
Active metabolic may build up - not good liver illness
May increase anxiety and insomnia
More likely induce mania than other SSRIs
Which SSRI in particular can cause QT interval prolongation?
Escitalopram
What do SNRIs inhibit?
Both serotonin and noradrenergic reuptake
What do SNRIs lack that TCAs have?
Antihistamine, antiadrenergic and anticholinergic side effects
What are examples of SNRIs?
Venlafaxine
Duloxetine
Which SNRI can cause QT prolongation?
Venlafaxine
Which SNRI can have sexual side effects?
Venlaxfaxine
What are novel antidepressant examples?
Mirtazapine
Buproprion
What novel antidepressant does not treat anxiety but cause it?
Buproprion