Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Drug Metabolism
The process of breaking down drugs into metabolites for excretion from the body; usually happens in the liver.
Synapse
The space between neurons in the brain.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical that moves from one neuron to the next.
ex) serotonin, dopamine, noreprinephine
Scheduling of Controlled Substances
Schedule I - no current legal medical use; high potential for physical and/or psychological dependence; high risk for misuse
ex) heroin, marijuana, bath salts
Schedule II - restricted use; high potential for physical/psychological dependence and misuse.
ex) fentanyl, morphine, methadone
Schedule III - accepted legal medical use; low/moderate physical dependence, moderate/high psychological dependence;
moderate risk for misuse.
Schedule IV - accepted legal medical use; low potential for dependence; low risk for misuse
ex) benzos
Schedule V - accepted legal medical use; limited potential for dependence; low risk for misuse
Schedule VI - legend drugs; any drug that is not considered to be a controlled substance
Classification of Common Drugs
1) Opioids
ex) morphine, fentanyl, heroin
2) Stimulants
ex) amphetamine, cocaine, bath salts
3) Hallucinogens
ex) PCP, LSD, ketamine
4) Inhalants
5) Cannabinoids
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
- agitation, muscle aches, anxiety, runny nose, sweating, yawning, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure
- sometimes described at the worse flu people have ever had
- treated in medical aspect. ex) sometimes given meds for diarrhea, etc.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
- anxiety, increased appetite, agitation, chills, problems concentrating, depression, insomnia, lethargy, mood swings, restlessness
- cocaine withdrawal can cause profound depression that can last for months; cocaine withdrawal is sometimes treated with antidepressants.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
decreased appetite, mood changes, irritability, insomnia, headaches, sweating, chills, upset stomach
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
- anxiety, insomnia, tremors, nausea/vomiting, headache, confusion, delirium tremens (DTs)/seizures (life -threatening)
- each time you have DTs, you are more at risk for having DTs every single time.
- drinking a pint of alcohol for 14 days puts you at serious risk of going through withdrawal
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
anxiety, insomnia, seizures (life-threatening)
4 Types of Antidepressants
1) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- most common
2) Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
3) Novel Antidepressants
- do not impact serotonin
4) Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Very sedating; not used often
- All equally effective for pain.
Examples of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Fluoxetine (Prozac) Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Paroxetine (Paxil) Sertraline (Zoloft) Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Examples of Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) --also used for pain Venlafaxine (Effexor) Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) Milnacipran (Savella)
Examples of Novel Antidepressants
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Mirtazapine (Remeron) Trazodone (Desyrel) - sedative; helps with sleep Vilazodone (Viibryd) Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
Examples of Tricyclic Antidepressants
Amitriptyline (Evavil) Nortriptyline (Pamelor) Imipramine (Tofranil) Desipramine (Norpramin) Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)
What to know about antidepressants:
- take several weeks of routine dosing to work appropriately
- “boxed” warning for clients under 24 years old
- should not be abruptly discontinued
- side effects can keep people from staying adherent - depends on drug, but can have sexual dysfunction (those who take SSRIs), weight gain/loss, insomnia, bleeding risk, seizures (bupropion)