Psychopharmacology History Flashcards
neuropharmacology (definition)
study of how drugs affect the brain
Psychopharmacology
study of how drugs affect psychology (mood, cognition and behaviour)
Psychotropic drug (definition and synonym)
aka: psychoactive drug
a drug that affects psychology (mood, behav, cognition, perception)
Psychotherapeutic drug
One that is used to treat psychosis or MI or Disorder. It affects psychology.
Explain why psychotherapeutic drugs are always psychotropic, but not…
all psychotropics are psychotherapeutics
Side effect
any effect of a drug/treatment that isn’t the intended effect or purpose of administering the drug.
Why side effects can differ
the same drug can be different depending on who is taking it and why they’re taking it. (side effect vs intended effect)
Sedative
a calming (depressant) drug that can also have analgesic effects
ex: benzo’s
Thought to depress CNS
Argument of sedatives depressing CNS
sedatives depress behaviour of patient, but don’t necessarily depress CNS directly
Stimulant
(aka psychostimulant)
a drug that increases mood, alertness, wakefulness
Ex: amphetamines
Thought to excite the CNS
Argument of stimulants exciting CNS
stimulants may excite patients, but don’t necessarily (directly) excite the CNS.
Tranquilizer
a drug that has calming and sleepiness effect.
Similar to sedatives, but don’t have very strong analgesic effects.
Ex: (then) Neuroleptics (now) Antipsychotics
Before 1950’s, treatments for Mental illness were
not very good.
Age of the culture of pills
Discovery of 1st generation antidepressants. Became more widely accepted treating MI with pills
TCA’s and MAOI’s
TCA’s vs MAOI’s (similarities and differences)
Sim: 1st gen antidepressants, 2/3 effective, Narrow TI. SE’s= lower sexual desire, anorgasmia and ED
Diff: MAOI’s are slightly less dangerous.
Therapeutic index (TI)
the range or distance between the dose that is effective and the dose that is toxic or lethal
1950-1960’s culture of pills
Benzo’s (anxiolytics)
High abuse potential
Withdrawal can occur. rebound effects coming off the drug
1950’s to 1960’s (part 2)
Valium glamorized (a benzo)
Uppers vs downers
pepp in day, amphetamines (speed) clinically benzedrine
to relax at night, sedatives like barbiturates (sleeping pills) clinically seconal
Amphetamine psychosis
Use of amphetamines patients in 1960’s:
syndrome brought on by large/repeated doses of amphetamines. akin to +ve symptoms of schizo. Similar treatments.
Led to 1970’s FDA restriction and less AMPH usage
End of culture of pills:
1970’s AMPH use restricted and less, but still prescribing barbs and benzo’s.
discovery of Fluoxetine
1988
aka prozac
TI very wide (safer)
still sexual side effects
Discovery of SSRI’s
Fluoxetine
Much safer than prev gen of antidepressants
SSRI revolution
safest psychotherapeutics
cosmetic fix don’t always work (nose job, for ex) but psychopharma to make people feel good.
Pharma marketed the fuck out of it.
Later retracted
