Psychopharmacology Flashcards
What are the 6 different types of receptors in the brain and what is their main action?
GABA - inhibitory neuron
Glutamate - excitatory neuron
Serotonin + Noradrenaline - mood (low levels = depression).
Dopamine - movement (low = Parkinsons, high = Huntingtons)
Ach - memory (low = Dementia).
SSRIs
- MOA
- Used in
- examples
- SE
- Interactions
- OD risk
MOA
Selective antagonist of serotonin receptors on post-synaptic cleft, decreasing reuptake of 5HT into presynaptic cleft –> increased 5HT in cleft –> increased stimulation of post synaptic neurons by 5HT -> increased mood.
Used in
- first line for depression.
Examples
- fluoxetine (prozac)
- sertraline.
SE
- GI effects: vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, upset.
- Sexual dysfunction: erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, anorgasmia.
- Weight gain.
- Insomnia, restlessness.
- Increased suicidal ideation in first weeks.
Interactions
- MAOIs: 5HT syndrome.
- TCAs.
OD risk: low.
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Cognitive
- Dysfunction
- restlessness
- insomnia
- agitation.
Hyperthermia
Nerves:
- hyperreflexia
- myoclonus
- ataxia
- tremor, shivering.
GI
- dysfunction: vom, diarrhoea
Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue).
SNRIs
- MOA
- Used for
- egs
- SE
- OD risk
MOA
Acts on post synaptic receptors, decreasing reuptake of 5HT + Noradrenaline into presynaptic cleft-> increased 5HT+Noradrenaline in post synaptic cleft -> increased neurotransmission of 5HT + Noradrenaline.
Used for
- severe melancholic depression.
Egs
- venlofaxine +++
- duloxetine
SE
5HT
- weight gain,
- sexual dysfunction
- GI upset.
Norad
- restlessness, insomnia.
OD RISK
- low
MAOIs
- MOA
- used for
- egs
- SE
- interactions
- OD risk
MOA
inhibitor of mono-oxidase inhibitor-> stops breakdown of 5HT + Norad breakdown in synaptic cleft-> increased neurotransmission.
Used for
- atypical depression
Egs
- moclobemide
SEs
- Hypertensive crisis if diet high in tyramine. “cheese crisis”
Interactions
- SSRIs
OD RISK
high.
TCAs
- MOA
- Used for
- Egs
- SE
- Interactions
- OD risk
MOA
Selective antagonist of serotonin receptors on post-synaptic cleft, decreasing reuptake of 5HT into presynaptic cleft –> increased 5HT in cleft –> increased stimulation of post synaptic neurons by 5HT -> increased mood.
VERY NON SPECIFIC - ALSO ANTAGONISES ON:
H1, alpha-adrenoreceptors (Adrenaline), Ach receptors.
Used for
- 2nd line: severe melancholic depression.
Egs
- doxepin
SE
5HT: GI upset, sexual dysfunction, weight gain.
Norad: restlessness, insomnia, headache.
H1: weight gain, sedation.
Ach: dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, glaucoma, urinary retention.
Adrenoreceptors: postural hypotension, dizziness, reflex hypotension
INTERACTIONS
- SSRIs
OD risk
- high.
NRI
- MOA
- EG
- SE
MOA
inhibits reuptake of noradrenaline
EG
riboxetine
SE
restlessness, headache, insomnia.
NDRI
- moa
- use
- eg.
MOA
noradrenaline + dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
use
smoking cessation
eg
buproprion.
What are other non specific effects of anti-depressants?
Electrolyte disturbance (hyponatremia)
Heart arrhythmias
Lowered seizure threshold.
Interactions with other medications (metabolised by cytochrome p450)
Discontinuation Syndrome.
Anxiolytics
- CLASSES
- MOA
- EGS
- SE
- INDICATIONS
What are the EPSEs?
AAPT
Acute dystonia (muscle rigidity, ie - neck)
Akisthesia (restlessness, not distressing)
Parkinsonian sx (resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia- slowness of movement)
Tardive dyskinesia (unwanted muscle movements, tongue lips face neck - acutely distressing to the pt).
What are the primary interactions of anti-depressants?
SSRIs
- MAOIs
- TCAs
p450 system:
- most are metabolised by p450.
- may result in induction/inhibition of metabolic enzymes.
Antipsychotics: ATYPICAL
MOA
Indications
Egs
SE
Method of use.
MOA
Dopamine receptor antagonist, low affinity. –> decreased negative symptoms, decreased EPSE, increased generalised effects.
INDICATIONS
- First line treatment of schizophrenia.
- Sedating: also used in mania + anxiety disorders.
EGs
- olanzepine
- respiradone
- clozapine (not first line)
SE
- Histamine antagonist: sedation.
- 5HT antagonist: GI effects, metabolic effects - weight gain.
- impaired glucose tolerance
- hyperlipidemia
- weight gain
–> especially clozapine + olanzapine.
- Ach antagonist: dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention.
- alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonist: postural hypotension, dizziness.
- IM or PO.
Antipsychotics: TYPICAL
MOA
Indications
egs
SE
MOA
- high affinity D2 receptor antagonist -> effect the nigrostriatal pathway -> decrease in positive symptoms.
Indications
- psychosis: only if 2 atypical antipsychotics have been tried and not given results.
EGS
- haloperidol
- chlorpromazine.
SE
- EPSEs
- Hyperprolactinemia
- gynocomastia
- galactorrhea
- infertility.
- sexual dysfunction
- osteoporosis - Reduction in seizure threshold.
- Hepatic effects.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- muscle rigidity
- hyperthermia
- sweating
- dysphagia
- hypertension
- tremor
- elevated CK
IM (haloperidol) or PO.