Psychopharmacology Flashcards
What are the main classes of anti-depressants?
SSRIs SNRIs Mirtazapine TCAs MAOIs
What are the indications for anti-depressants?
Unipolar depression Bipolar depression Schizoaffective disorder OCD Panic disorder Social phobia PTSD
What is the mechanism of SSRIs?
Blocks presynaptic serotonin reuptake -> increases serotonin concentration in synaptic cleft
What are the indications for SSRIs?
Depression Panic disorder Bulimia nervosa (fluoxetine) OCD PTSD GAD
What are examples of SSRIs?
Sertraline
Citalopram
Fluoxetine
What are the side effects of SSRIs?
GI disturbance Agitation on initiation Sweating Tremore Sexual dysfunction Serotonin syndrome
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Cognitive
- headacges
- agitation
- hypomania
Autonomic
- shivering
- sweatin
- N+D
- tachycardia
Somatic
- myoclonus
- hyperreflexia
- tremor
What are contraindications for SSRIs?
Mania
NSAIDs
Warfarin/heparin/aspirin
Triptans
What is a risk on stopping SSRIs?
Discontinuation syndrome
What are the features of discontinuation syndrome?
Sweating Shakes Agitiation Insomnia Hypomania Irritability Nausea
How is serotonin syndrome managed?
Stop treatment
Supportive measures
What is the mechanism of SNRIs?
Block serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake
What are examples of SNRIs?
Venlafaxine
Duloxetine
What are the indications for an SNRI?
Second line - depression + anxiety
What are the side effects of SNRIs?
Nausea
Dry mouth
Sexual dysfunction
Sedation
What are contraindications for SNRIs?
Cardiac arrhythmias
Uncontrolled hypertension
What class is mirtazapine?
NASSA - noradrenaline-serotonin specific antidepressant
What is the mechanism of mirtazapine?
5HT-2 + 5HT-3 antagonist
Weak noradrenaline reuptake blacker
Anti-histaminergic properties
What are the indications for mirtazapine?
Second line for depression who suffer with insomnia or could benefit from weight gain
What are the side effects of mirtazapine?
Increased appetitie Weight gain Sedation Dry mouth Oedema
What is the mechanism of TCAs?
Inhibit reuptake of adrenaline and serotonin in the synaptic cleft
Affinity for cholinergic receptors
What are examples of TCAs?
Amitriptylline
Imipramine
Whar are the indications for TCAs?
Depression
Neuropathic pain
Nocturnal enuresis in children
What are the side effects of TCAs?
Anti-cholinergic
- dry mouth
- constipation
- urinary retention
- blurred vision
Arrythmias - QT prolongation
Hypersensitivity reactions
Weight gain
Sexual dysfunction
What are contraindications for TCAs?
Cardiac disese
Mania
Severe liver disease
Agranulocytosis
What do you need to be aware of when prescribing TCAs?
Risk of overdose - lethal
What is the mechanism of MAOIs?
Inactivate monoamine oxidase enxymes that oxidise
- dopamine
- noradrenaline
- serotonin
- tyramine
What are examples of MAOIs?
Phenelzine
Isocarboxide
Moclobemide
What are indications for MAOIs?
Third line for depression
What are side effects of MAOIs?
Postural hypotension Arrhythmias Drowsiness Increased appetite/weight gain Sexual disturbances
What are contraindications for MAOIs?
Acute confusional states
Phaeochromocytoma
What are the indications for anti-psychotics?
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective disorder
Bipolar disorder
Psychosis
What are the types of anti-psychotic?
Typical
Atypical
What are examples of typical anti-psychotics?
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Flupentixol
What are examples of atypical anti-psychotics?
Olanzapine Risperidone Quetiapine Aripiprazole Clozapine
What type of anti-psychotic is used first line for schizophrenia?
Atypical antipsychotic
What is the mechanism of anti-pyschotics?
Block dopamine receptors via
- mesocortical pathway
- mesolimbic pathway
- nigrostriatal pathway
- tuberofundibular pathway
What is the mesocortical pathway?
Ventral tegmentum-> cerebral cortex
Negative symptoms + cognitive disorders
What is the mesolimbic pathway?
Ventral tegmentum -> limbic system
Hallucinations, delusions + thought disorders
What is the nigrostriatal pathway?
Substantia nigra -> basal ganglia
Movement regulation
What is the tuberofundibular pathway?
Hypothalamus -> anterior pituitary
Prolactin release
When is clozapine used?
3rd line for schizophrenia
After 2 other anti-pyschotics have failed
What are side effects of anti-psychotics?
Extra-pyramidal side effects
- parkinsonism
- akathisia
- dystonia
- tardive dyskinesia
Anti-muscarinic
- blurred vision
- urinary retention
- constipation
- dry mouth
Anti-histaminergic
- sedation
- weight gain
Prolonged QTc
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome