Psychotherapeutic Drugs Flashcards
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Chemical Classification
Benzodiazepine (short/intermediate acting)
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Mechanism of Action
Depresses subcortical levels of CNS, including limbic system, reticular formation
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Uses
Anxiety, panic disorders with or without agoraphobia, anxiety with depressive symptoms
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Contraindications
Pregnancy (D), breastfeeding, hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, closed-angle glaucoma, psychosis, addiction
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Side Effects
CNS: Dizziness, Drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, fatigue, depression, insomnia, hallucinations, memory impairment, poor coordination
CV: Orthostatic Hypotension, ECG CHANGES, TACHYCARDIA, hypotension
EENT: Blurred Vision, tinnitus, mydriasis
GI: constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, weight gain/loss, increased appetite
GU: decreased libido
INTEG: rash, dermatitis, itching, angioedema
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- Mental status: anxiety, mood, sensorium, orientation, affect, sleeping pattern, drowsiness, dizziness, especially in geriatric patients both before and during treatment
- BP lying, standing; pulse; if systolic BP drops 20mmHg, hold product, notify prescriber
- Hepatic, blood studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin, creatinine, LDH, alk phos, CBC; may cause neutropenia, decreased Hct, increased LFTs
- PHYSICAL DEPENDENCY, WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, seizures, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness; withdrawal seizures may occur after rapid decrease in dose or abrupt discontinuation; because duration of action is short, considered to be the product of choice for geriatric patients
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Overdose Treatment
Lavage, VS, supportive care, flumazenil
Amitriptyline
Functional Classification
Antidepressant - tricyclic
Amitriptyline
Chemical Classification
Tertiary Amine
Amitriptyline
Mechanism of Action
Blocks reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin into nerve endings, thereby increasing action of norepinephrine, serotonin in nerve cells
Amitriptyline
Uses
Major Depression
Amitriptyline
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to tricyclics, recovery phase of myocardial infarction
Amitriptyline
Side Effects
CNS: Dizziness, Drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (geriatric patients), increased psychiatric symptoms, SEIZURES, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
CV: Orthostatic Hypotension, ECG CHANGES, TACHYCARDIA, HYPERTENSION, palpitations, DYSRHYTHMIAS
EENT: Blurred Vision, tinnitus, mydriasis, ophthalmoplegia
GI: Constipation, Dry Mouth, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, PARALYTIC ILEUS, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, HEPATITIS, stomatitis
GU: Urinary Retention
HEMA: AGRANULOCYTOSIS, THROMBOCYTOPENIA, EOSINOPHILIA, LEUKOPENIA, APLASTIC ANEMIA
INTEG: rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity
Amitriptyline
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
-BP lying, standing; pulse q4hr; if systolic BP drops 20mmHg, hold product, notify prescriber; take vital signs q4hr with CV disease; ECG for flattening of T wave, prolongation of QTc interval, bundle branch block, AV block, dysrhythmias in cardiac patients
-Blood studies: CBC, leukocytes, differential, cardiac enzymes if patient is receiving long-term therapy
-Hepatic studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin
-Weight q wk; appetite may increase with product
-EPS primarily in geriatric patients: rigidity, dystonia, akathisia
-Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, suicidal tendencies; increase in psychiatric symptoms: depression, panic; suicidal tendencies are higher in those =24yr, restrict amount of product available
-Urinary retention, constipation; constipation is most likely to occur in children and geriatric patients
-WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness; do not usually occur unless product was discontinued abruptly
-Alcohol consumption; if alcohol is consumed, hold dose until morning
PAIN SYNDROMES (UNLABELED): intensity, location, severity; use pain scale; product may be taken for 1-2 months before effective
-SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION: erectile dysfunction, decreased libido
PERFORM/PROVIDE:
-Gum, hard sugarless candy, frequent sips of water for dry mouth
Amitriptyline
Overdose Treatment
ECG monitoring, lavage; administer anticonvulsant, sodium bicarbonate
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Functional Classification
Antidepressant-miscellaneous
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Chemical Classification
Aminoketone
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits reuptake of DOPamine
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Uses
Depression (Wellbutrin), smoking cessation (Zyban); seasonal affective disorder
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity, eating disorders, seizure disorders
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Side Effects
CNS: Headache, Agitation, Dizziness, Akinesia, Bradykinesia, Confusion, SEIZURES, delusions, Insomnia, Sedation, Tremors, SUICIDAL IDEATION
CV: Dysrhythmias, Hypertension, palpitations, Tachycardia, hypotension, COMPLETE AV BLOCK; QRS PROLONGATION (OVERDOSE)
EENT: Blurred Vision, Auditory Disturbances
GI: Nausea, Vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, Dry Mouth, increased appetite, Constipation, altered taste
GU: impotence, urinary frequency, retention, Menstrual Irregularities
INTEG: Rash, pruritus, Sweating, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME
MISC: Weight Loss or Gain
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- Hepatic/renal function in patients with hepatic, kidney impairment
- For increased risk of seizures; if patient has excessively used CNS depressants and OTC stimulants, dosage of buPROPion should not be exceeded
- For smoking cessation after 7-12wk; if progress has not been made, product should be discontinued
- Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, suicidal tendencies, increase in psychiatric symptoms
PERFORM/PROVIDE:
- Assistance with ambulation during beginning therapy because sedation occurs
- Safety measures, primarily for geriatric patients
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Overdose Treatment
ECG monitoring; lavage, activated charcoal; administer anticonvulsant
Diazepam (Valium)
Functional Classification
Antianxiety, anticonvulsant, skeletal muscle relaxant, central acting
Diazepam (Valium)
Chemical Classification
Benzodiazepine, long-acting
Diazepam (Valium)
Mechanism of Action
Potentiates the actions of GABA, especially in the limbic system, reticular formation; enhances presympathetic inhibition, inhibits spinal polysynaptic afferent paths
Diazepam (Valium)
Uses
Anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, adjunct for seizure disorders; preoperatively as a relaxant for skeletal muscle relaxation; rectally for acute repetitive seizures
Diazepam (Valium)
Contraindications
Pregnancy (D), hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, closed-angle glaucoma, coma, myasthenia gravis, ethanol intoxication, hepatic disease, sleep apnea
Diazepam (Valium)
Side Effects
CNS: Dizziness, Drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, fatigue, depression, insomnia, hallucinations, ataxia
CV: Orthostatic Hypotension, ECG CHANGES, TACHYCARDIA, hypotension
EENT: Blurred Vision, tinnitus, mydriasis, nystagmus
GI: constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea
HEMA: NEUTROPENIA
INTEG: rash, dermatitis, itching
RESP: RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION
Diazepam (Valium)
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- BP (lying, standing), pulse; respiratory rate, if systolic BP drops 20mmHg, hold product, notify prescriber, respirations q5-15min if given IV
- Blood studies: CBC during long-term therapy; blood dyscrasias (rare); hepatic studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin, creatinine, LDH, alk phos
- DEGREE OF ANXIETY; what precipitates anxiety and whether product controls symptoms
- ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, including hallucinations (visual, auditory), delirium, irritability, agitation, fine to coarse tremors
- Seizure control and type, duration, intensity of seizures
- For muscle spasms; pain relief
- IV site for thrombosis or phlebitis, which may occur rapidly
- Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, sleeping pattern, drowsiness, dizziness, suicidal tendencies
- PHYSICAL DEPENDENCY, WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness after long-term use
PERFORM/PROVIDE:
- Assistance with ambulation during beginning therapy, for drowsiness, dizziness, safety measures
- Check to confirm PO medication swallowed
Diazepam (Valium)
Overdose Treatment
Lavage, VS, supportive care, flumazenil