Psychopharm Flashcards
2 bad things about amphetamines
Addictive, toxicity
Whatbis important for the nurse to assess related to psychomedications?
List of the meds they are taking including prescribed OTC, herbal, and their allergies
What is important after giving the medication?
Monitor side effects and adverse reactions, evaluate effectiveness
What is some pt education you should do when giving pt drugs?
- Why when and how the med should be taken
- Who and when to contact with questions
- Expected side effects/adverse reactions
What are some examples of neurotransmitters?
Epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin
Whatbare antianxiety agents also called?
Anxiolytics (minor tranquilizers)
What are anxiolytics used for?
Acute anxiety states (not long term)
Depress CNS
All anxiolytics depress the CNS except for?
Buspirone!
What is the most commonly prescribed anxiolytic class?
Benzodiazepines
Can anxiolytics/CNS depressants be taken with another CNS depressant?
No, take them by themselves
What to avoid when taking anxiolytics?
Alcohol, caffeine, opioid/cough meds, herbal depressants
What to do if pt becomes confused while taking anxiolytics?
Stop the med, taper off
Alprazolam (Xanax) class
Antianxiety
Clonazepam (Klonopin) class
Antianxiety
Diazepam (Valium) class
Antianxiety
Lorazepam (Ativan) class
Antianxiety
Oxazepam (Serax) class
Antianxiety
Midazolam (Versed) class
Antianxiety
SE of antianxiety meds
Orthostatic hypotension
drowsiness
dry mouth
paradoxical excitement (opposite of what we want)
blood dyscrasias (easy bruising, sore throat, fever)
How long can antianxiety meds be used for?
About 4 months
After 4 months need to look at meds for long term use
Is buspirone (Buspar) a benzodiazepine?
No
What is one uses of benzodiazepines?
Depress the CNS
Does buspirone depress the CNS?
No
How long should you take buspirone?
7-10 days to see improvement
3-4 weeks to reach the optimal level
Does buspirone have addiction potential?
No
What to avoid when taking buspirone?
Alcohol, CNS depressants, grapefruit juice
Pt education for antianxiety meds
- Do NOT stop abruptly, taper off slowly for 2-6 weeks
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and other CNS depressants
- Take with food/milk
- Avoid herbals (kava, valerian, melatonin, chamomile)
Buproprion (Welbutrin) class
Atypical antidepressants
What do atypical antidepressants treat?
Schizophrenia or bipolar
Antidepressants action
Increase concentration of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine by blocking reuptake, inhibit the release of monoamine oxidase (MAO)
What class of antidepressants have the least side effects?
SSRIs
What do you need to avoid when taking SSRIs?
Alcohol and other CNS depressants
How long does it take for SSRIs side effects to decrease?
2-4 weeks
What do you need to monitor for pt that are taking SSRIs?
Suicidal ideation
Fluoxetine (Prozac) class
SSRIs
Sertraline (Zoloft) class
SSRIs
Paroxetine (Paxil) class
SSRIs
Citalopram (Celexa) class
SSRIs
Escatilopram (Lexapro) class
SSRIs
What adverse reaction will occur when taking SSRI with buspirone/TCAs/st John’s wort/selegiline?
Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome s/s
Diarrhea, restlessness, agitation, vital fluctuation
Late s/s: seizures, hyperthermia, uncontrolled shivering, myoclonus (involuntary muscle contraction throughout the body)
What is myoclonus?
Involuntary muscle contraction throughout body
What adverse reaction happens when taking SSRI with MAOIs?
Hypertensive crisis
Venlafaxine (Effexor) class
SNRIs
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) class
SNRIs