Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Psychoactive drug
a chemical substance that crosses the blood-brain barrier, acts primarily upon the CNS, affects brain function.
Neurotransmitters
endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
Criteria for neurotransmitters (3)
- Substance must be present in the pre-synaptic nerve terminal and packaged into synaptic vesicles
- Substance must be released from the nerve terminal upon arrival of action potential or depolarization of presynaptic membrane
- specific receptors must be present on the postsynaptic membrane for the substance
ANXIOLYTICS (antianxiety agents) used for which disorders?
- anxiety
- insomnia
- panic disorder
- social phobia
- bipolar disorder
- akathisia (movement disorder ‘restlessness’)
- alcohol withdrawal
Categories of anxiolytics
- Benzodiazepines,
- serotonin receptor agonists (buspirone),
- beta-receptor blockers,
- barbiturates
Two types of benzo receptors:
(1) causes anti-anxiety effect
(2) elicit the sedative effect
Short-term effect of benzo (mild/moderate dosage)
- Impaired motor coordination
- drowsiness, fatigue
- impaired thinking and memory
- confusion
- altered vision
- slurred speech, stuttering
- tremors
- nausea
Short-term effect of benzo (high dosage)
- extreme drowsiness
- slowed reflexes
- mood swings
- hostile and erratic behavior
- euphoria
Paradoxical effects of benzo
aggression, violence; impulsivity, irritability; suicidal behavior
Barbiturates
CNS depressant. Anxiolytics and hypnotics. High addiction potential.
Hypnotics
Short-acting benzodiazepines; induce and prolong sleep
Monotherapy
the use of one antidepressant
Adjunctive (or augmentation) therapy
adding another drug – not another antidepressant - to supplement the antidepressant
Combination therapy
combining two or more drugs with antidepressant effect
