Psychotropics Flashcards
1
Q
Lithium
A
DC: Mood stabiliser
I:
- Prevention of manic or depressive episodes in bipolar disorder
- Treatment of acute mania
- Schizoaffective disorder and chronic schizophrenia
D:
- Maintenance: 250 -1000mg daily in divided doses
- Acute mania: 750-1000mg D in divided doses, CR are taken BD
M:
- Improvement of symptoms
- Worsening of symptoms or control
- Suicidal ideation
- Renal function
- Thyroid function
- Adherence
- Signs of dehydration
- Electrolyte levels
- TDM
- Calcium level
- Serotonin toxicity
C:
- Take 1 tab with food, however do not take it with hot drinks
- Make sure you are keeping a well balance diet while you’re on this medication. This means with normal intake of sodium (salt) and water.
- You may need regular blood test while you’re on this medication
- Make sure that in hot weather, you keep yourself well hydrated with non-alcohol fluids. If you fall sick, experiencing excessive sweating, or dehydrated, you would need to rehydrate yourself and talk to your doctor immediately if you develop signs of toxicity. These are excessive thirst, urination, nausea, or vomiting.
- Avoid taking things with sodium bicarbonate inside such as ural sachet, citrate and antacids as it makes lithium less effective.
PP:
- Nephrotoxic, could increase risk of renal tumours if long term lithium treatment
- May contribute to serotonin toxicity
2
Q
Melatonin
A
DC: Melatonin receptor agonist
I:
- Short term treatment of insomnia
D:
- >55yo: 2mg at night up to 13 weeks.
M:
- Sleep quality
- Sleep hygiene
- Precipitating factors of insomnia
- Frequency of insomnia
- Alcohol intake
C:
- Take 1 tablet 1-2 hours before bed. Swallow whole, do not crush or chew
- Avoid alcohol while you’re on this medication as it affects how this medication works
- May cause back pain and arthralgia while on this medication
PP:
- Only people >55yo were participated in the study that led to the marketing of this medication
