psychopharmacology Flashcards
effects of psychoactive drugs
agonists:
direct: similar to neurotransmitter
indirect: facilitate action of neurotransmitter
Anticholinergic effects of antipsychotics
dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia, delayed ejaculation
tolerance develops within a few weeks-months
Extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotics
parkinsonism, akathisia (motor restlessness), acute dystonia, tardive dyskinesia (TD may not be permanent)
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
rare, potentially fatal side effect of antipsychotic drugs
rapid onset of motor, mental, and autonomic symptoms - muscle rigidity, tachycardia, hyperthermia, altered consciousness
atypical antipsychotics
clozapine
schizophrenia and BP that has not responded to a mood stabilizer, depression and suicidality, alcohol and drug addiction, hostility, and motor sx of hunting tons and parkinson’s
slower onset of therapeutic effects
agranulocytosis (less WBC)
Tricyclics
amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine
classic depression, panic disorder, agoraphobia, bulimia, OCD (esp clomipramine), enuresis, neuropathic pain
most serious side effect of tricyclics
cardiotoxic
OD can be lethal - prescribe in small quantities for suicidal
SSRIs
fluoxetine (prozac)
when given in conjunction with MAOI - serotonin syndrome: neurological effects, changes in mental state, and cardiac arrhythmia
MAOIs
non endogenous and atypical depression - anxiety, reversed vegetative symptoms and interpersonal sensitivity
most dangerous side effect of MAOI
hypertensive crisis - ca occur when taken with barbiturates, amphetamines, antihistamines or drugs/foods containing amino acid tyramine
sx of tyramine induced crisis: headache, stiff neck, rapid heart rate, nausea, vomitting, sweating, sensitivity to light
mood stabilizing drugs
lithium – drug of choice for BP
re: reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
side effects: GI (subside in a few weeks)
sensitive to sodium levels
major danger of lithium
toxicity - when dose is too high
diarrhea, ataxia, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, coarse tremor
anticonvulsant drug
Carbamazepine - can be effective for mania “rapid cyclers” and dysphoric mania
affect serotonin levels
sedative-hypnotics
barbiturates, anxiolytics, alcohol
low dose: reduce arousal and motor activity
moderate: sedation and seep
high: anesthesia, coma, death
chronic use-> tolerance, dependence,
combining anxiolytic with a barbiturate or alcohol = lethal
cross tolerance can develop
benzodiazepine
most widely used psychiatric medication
relieve anxiety, sleep disturbances, seizures, CP, alcohol withdrawal
GABA
