Rx Flashcards
Antidepressants BPD medication Anti-psychotics Anxiolytics
Antidepressants
Indications [7]
Unipolar and bipolar depression Organic mood disorders Schizoaffective disorder Anxiety disorders OCD Impulsivity associated with personality disorders Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Antidepressant
Indications - anxiety disorders [3]
PTSD
Panic disorder
Social phobia
Antidepressant
First line
How long after therapeutic dose achieved that improvement is seen?
SSRI
3-6 weeks after therapeutic dose achieved before improvement seen
Antidepressant
5 types
SSRI SNRI TCA MAOI Novel antidepressants
TCA Tertiary TCA MOA Secondary TCA MOA Side effects [3 headings] Why are the SE's so widespread NB side effects in secondary TCA are generally less severe than tertiary TCA
Tertiary TCA MOA:
- acts on serotonin receptors
Secondary TCA MOA:
- blocks noradrenaline
Side effects:
Antihistaminic
Anticholinergic
Anti-adrenergic
Made up of amine side chains which are prone to react with a wide range of receptors
Tertiary TCA eg [4]
Secondary TCA eg [2]
Amitriptyline
Imipramine
Doxepine
Clomipramine
Desipramine
Nortriptyline
Name 2 anti-histaminic SE
Sedation and weight gain
Name 6 anti-cholinergic SE
Dry mouth, eyes
Constipation
Memory deficits
Delirium ~
MAOI
MOA [3]
Indication - very effective in… [1]
Eg [2]
Binds irreversibly to monoamine oxidase
Prevent inactivation of amines e.g. NE, DA, serotonin
Increased synaptic levels
Very effective in depression
Seligiline
Rasagiline
MAOI
SE [7]
Con - strict diet causes [2]
Orthostatic hypotension \+ SSRI side effects - Sick stomach, dizziness - Sedation, weight gain - Restlessness, anxiety, nervousness - Insomnia - Sexual dysfunction Hypertensive crises so strict diet required - tyramine rich foods (Cheese Reaction) or sympathomimetics
MAOI Serotonin syndrome Causes [1] Sx [7] Serious consequences [3] How to avoid Special instructions for fluoxetine and why
Cause: can develop if taken with medication that increases serotonin or have sympathomimetic actions
Sx Shivering Hyper-reflexia + myoclonus Increased temperature - pyrexial Vital sign instability Encephalopathy - delirium Restlessness Sweating - diaphoresis
Serious consequences
Hyperpyrexia
CVS shock
Death
Avoid by waiting 2 weeks before switching from SSRI > MAOI - washout period
5 week washout period if switching from fluoxetine due to long half-life
SSRI MOA Indication Eg [6] Pros
Blocks presynaptic serotonin re-uptake
Treats both anxiety and depression sx
Eg Paroxetine Sertraline Fluoxetine Citalopram Escatilopram Fluvoxamine
Pros: very little risk of cardio toxicity in overdose
SSRI
SE [7]
Pros
Cons [1] and give duration, 4 symptoms of [1]
SSRI SE
- Sick stomach, dizziness
- Sedation, weight gain
- Restlessness, anxiety, nervousness
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction
Pros: very little risk of cardio toxicity in overdose Cons - discontinuation syndrome - week long - agitation, nausea, diseqm, dysphoria
SSRI - Paroxetine
Pros
Cons
Pros
- short half-life so less build up
- sedating properties offering relief from anxiety, insomnia
Cons - - Discontinuation syndrome Significant CYP2D5 inhibition so drug2 interaction - Sedating - Weight gain
SSRI - Sertraline
Pros [3]
Cons [2]
Pros
- Weak P450 interactions so fewer drug2 interactions
- Short half-life so less build up
- Less sedating that paroxetine
Cons
- Max absorption requires full stomach
- Increased no of GI SE’s
SSRI - Fluoxetine
Well known trade name?
Pros [2]
Cons [3]
Prozac
Pros
- Long half life so less incidence of discontinuation syndromes
- Initially activating providing increased energy
Cons
- Build up not good in patient with hepatic disease
- Significant P450 interactions
- More likely to induce mania than other SSRIs
SSRI - Fluoxetine
Good for which group of patients? [1]
Not so good in which group of patients? [3]
Good in non-compliant patients due to long half-life
Not so good in…
- hepatic disease due to build-up
- polypharmacy due to significant P450 interactions
- Manic, anxiety
SSRI - Paroxetine
Indication
Sedating properties are good for relief from anxiety and insomnia
SSRI - Citalopram
Half life
Pros [1]
Cons [3]
Intermediate half-life
Pros
- Low inhibition of P450 enzymes, fewer drug2 interactions
Cons
- QT prolongation
- Sedating
- GI side effects (but less than sertraline)
Which 2 SSRIs cause dose-dependent QT interval prolongation with doses 10-30mg daily and how does this influence precautions when prescribing?
Citalopram
Escitalopram
due to this risk doses of >40mg/day not recommended!
Which SSRI is associated with an increased no of GI side effects
Sertraline
Escatilopram Half-life Pros [1] Cons [3] Effectiveness compared to citalopram?
Intermediate half-life
Pros
-Low inhibition of P450 enzymes, fewer drug2 interactions
Cons
- QT prolongation
- Nausea
- Headache
- more effective than citalopram in acute response, remission
Fluvoxamine
Pros [2]
Cons [6]
Pros
- shortest half-life
- analgesic properties
Cons - discontinuation syndrome - GI upset - Headaches Sedation Strong CYP1A2, CYP2C19 inhibitor
SNRI Describe MOA, similar to...? Pro [1] Indications [3] Eg [2]
SNRI MOA: inhibits both serotonin and NE reuptake Pro: no antihistamine, anticholinergic, antiadrenergic Indications - Anxiety - Depression - ? Neuropathic pain Eg - Venlafaxine - Duloxetine
What to do if encounter treatment resistance [4]
Combination of antidepressants
Adjunctive tx with lithium
Adjunctive tx with atypical antipsychotic
ECT
Eg of a good combo of antidepressants in refractory cases
SSRI/SNRI with mirtazapine (tetracyclic antidepressant)
Eg of 3 atypical antipsychotics as adjunctive treatments in refractory cases
Quetiapine
Olanzapine
Aripriprazole
Mood stabilizers
3 indications
3 classifications
Indications
- Bipolar
- Cyclothymia
- Schizoaffective
Classifications: Lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics
Mood stabilizers - Lithium
Effective in… [4]
Con
2 things to test for before starting lithium
Reduces suicide rate
Effective in long term prophylaxis of mania and depressive episodes
Classic pure mania
Mania followed by depression
Con: narrow therapeutic window
Before starting lithium…
Get baseline U&E and TSH
Pregnancy test
Mood stabilizers - Lithium Monitoring - Goal in blood level and when to check When is steady state achieved Once stable what are the monitoring protocols? [3]
Goal in blood level: 0.6-1.2 - Check 12 hours after last dose Steady state achieved 5 days Once stable... - Check every 3m - Check TSH and creatinine every 6m
Mood stabilizers - Lithium
SE [7]
LTHIUM
Leukocytosis Tremors, thirsty Hypothyroidism, hair loss Interstitial renal fibrosis Upset GI, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Muscle weakness, mums Skin (acne), seizure, slowing
Why does lithium cause polyuria
What is one serious consequence of this
Secondary to ADH antagonism
Interstitial renal fibrosis
Describe lithium toxicity
Mild lithium toxicity [3]
Moderate lithium toxicity [6]
Severe lithium toxicity [2]
Mild lithium toxicity
- vomiting, diarrhea
- ataxia, dizziness
- nystagmus, slurred speech
Moderate lithium toxicity
- vomiting
- anorexia
- syncope
- blurred vision
- clonic limb movements
- convulsions, delirium
Severe lithium toxicity
- Generalised convulsions
- Oliguria, renal failure
Mood stabilizers Lithium ranges Goal Mild Mod Severe
Goal: 0.6-1.2
Mild 1.5-2.0
Mod 2.0-2.5
Severe >2.5
Mood stabilizers - valproic acid
Effectiveness and tolerativeness in comparison to lithium? [3]
Factors predicting positive response [4]
Same effectiveness as lithium in mania prophylaxis
Not as effectiveness as lithium in depression prophylaxis
Better tolerated than lithium
Factors:
- rapid cycling patients
- co-morbid substance issues
- mixed patients
- co-morbid anxiety disorders
Lithium
Factors predicting positive response [3]
Prior long term response
or family member with good long term
Classic pure mania
Mania followed by depression
Mood stabilizers - valproic acid
Before starting, 3 things
Con [1] influencing management
Before starting
- baseline LFT
- baseline FBC
- pregnancy test
Con: increased risk of neural tube defect so prescribe folic acid supplement
Mood stabilizers - valproic acid
When is steady state achieved
When to repeat LFT, FBC
Goal in blood
Steady state achieved 4-5 days
Check in 12 hours after last dose
- Repeat LFT, FBC
Goal in blood: 50-125
Mood stabilizers - valproic acid
SE [6]
Vomiting Alopecia Liver toxicity hence LFTs Pancreatitis Retain fat Oedema Appetite increase Thrombocytopenia Enzyme inhibitor p450
Mood stabilizers - carbamazepine
Originally used as
Indications [4] - first line agent for 2
Originally used as an anti-epileptic Indications - acute mania, mania prophylaxis (first line) - rapid cyclers - mixed patients
Mood stabilizers - carbamazepine
Before starting [3]
Monitoring:
steady state
Goal in blood
Before starting:
- LFT
- FBC
- ECG
Steady state achieved after 5 days
Check 12 hours for FBC, LFT
Goal in blood: 4-12 mcg/mL
Check after 1 month
Mood stabilizers - lamotrigine
Og used as…
SE [6]
What are 2 drug-drug interactions?
Anticonvulsant SE: - Nausea, vomiting - Sedation - Dizziness, ataxia, confusion - Stevens Johnson's syndrome - Blood dyscrasias
Drug interactions
- sertraline
- valproic acid
Mood stabilizers - anti-psychotics
2 types
Indications [4]
SE [3]
Typical
Atypical
Indications Schizophrenia BPD Psychotic depression Anxiety disorders as augmenting agent
SE
- tardive dyskinesia
- NMS
- EPS
Mood stabilizers - anti-psychotics SE’s
Explain tardive dyskinesia [2]
NMS is potentially fatal - what are 5 clinical features
3 features of extrapyramidal symptoms
Tardive dyskinesia - involuntary muscle movements not resolving with drug discontinuation
NMS
- Fever
- Encephalopathy
- Vital sign instability
- Enzyme elevation eg raised CPK, LFT, WBC
- Rigidity (leadpipe)
EPS
- Acute dystonia
- PD
- Akathisia
Mood stabilizers - Typical anti-psychotics 3 examples MOA [2] Explain side effect profile: - high risk of EPS effects - anti-cholinergic and cardiotoxic
Eg
Fluphenazine
Haloperidol
Pimozide
MOA:
D2 dopamine receptor antagonists
Side effect profile:
EPS effects - high potency typical antipsychotics tend to bind to D2 receptor with high affinity
Anti-cholinergic, cardiotoxic - low potency typical antipsychotics bind with less affinity to D2 receptors BUT interact with non-dopaminergic receptors
Mood stabilizers - Atypical anti-psychotics
MOA
Why are they named atypical?
Eg
MOA: serotonin-dopamine 2 antagonists
Considered atypical in the way that they affect DA and serotonin neurotransmission
Eg Risperidone Olanzapine Quetiapine Aripiprazole Clozapine
Mood stabilizers - Atypical anti-psychotics
Risperidone SE [3]
Increased EPS effects
Hyperprolactinemia
Weight gain, sedation
Which 2 atypical anti-psychotic is only available in tablets
NB the rest are available in tablets, IM and depot
Clozapine
Quetiapine
Mood stabilizers - Atypical anti-psychotics
Olanzapine SE [4]
Hypertriglyceridemia, high cholesterol
Hyperprolactinemia~
Weight gain, hyperglycemia
Abnormal LFTs ~
Mood stabilizers - Atypical anti-psychotics
Quetiapine SE
similar SE profile to another atypical antipsychotic
Same as olanzapine but most likely to cause orthostatic hypotension Hypertriglyceridemia, high cholesterol Hyperprolactinemia~ Weight gain, hyperglycemia Abnormal LFTs ~
Mood stabilizers - Atypical anti-psychotics Aripiprazole MOA 3 Pros SE [1]
MOA: d2 partial agonist
Pros: not associated with weight gain, low sedation, low EPS effects
SE: CYP2D6, 3A4 interactions
Mood stabilizers - Atypical anti-psychotics Clozapine Indications SE (highest risk) - NB side effect profile can be fatal
Reserved for tx resistant pt SE Agranulocytosis Increased risk of seizures Most sedation, weight gain, abnormal LFTs
Hypertriglyceridemia, high cholesterol
Hyperprolactinemia~
Hyperglycemia
Non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma
EPS agents [3]
Give at least 1 example of each
Anticholinergics
Dopamine facilitators - amantadine
Beta blockers - propanolol
EPS agents - anticholinergics
3 eg
Watch out for…
Eg
Benztropine
Trihexyphenidyl
Diphenhydramine
Watch for anticholinergic SE esp if taken with TCAs (additive anticholinergic activity)
Anxiolytics Indications [4] Buspirone and its MOA Pros [2] Cons [2]
Panic disorder GAD Substance related disorders Used in combination with SSRI, SNRI [augmentation] Eg: Buspirone MOA: 5HT1A agonist
Pros
- augmentation strategy
- no sedation
Cons
- 2 weeks before improvments
- will not reduce anxiety in pt that are used to taking BDZ because no sedation effect to take edge off
Anxiolytics - BDZs
Indications 4
5 SE
• Indications • Insomnia • Parasomnia • Anxiety disorder • CNS depressant withdrawal protocols eg alcohol withdrawal • SE • Somnolence • Cognitive deficits • Amnesia • Disinhibition Tolerance, dependence
Psychological Treatment
CBT
Name 4 features
Focus on now
short term
Problem focused
Goal oriented
Psychological Treatment
CBT
Therapist helps client by… [4]
Identify thoughts, feelings and behaviours
Assess thinking errors
What can change
Client engages in homework
Psychological Treatment
CBT
Thinking errors [8]
Homework [2]
Automatic negative thoughts Unrealistic beliefs Cognitive distortion Catastrophizing Black and white thinking Perfectionism Over-generalisation Mind reading
Homework:
errors
Graded exposure
Response prevention
Psychological Treatment
Behavioral activation in treatment of depression
3 key features
3 features of its structure
Focus on avoidance issues in depression
Predictors and perpetuators of avoidance
Client taught to analyse unintended consequences of their response to triggering situations
3 features of its structure:
structured agenda
review progress
make small changes to build long term goals
Interpersonal therapy
Effective for 2 conditions
4 features
Cons 2
Indications - depression, anxiety
Time limitation: 12-16 weeks
4 features:
- CBT without homework
- Allows patient to be invested in sick role
- Acknowledges depression often follows major life event
- construct an interpersonal map
Cons:
requires degree of ability to reflect
limited where there are poor social networks
Motivational interviewing Based on what theory More effective than Indications Pros:
Based on Prochaska and Diclemente’s stages of change
More effective than advice giving
Indications: where behaviour change is being considered but patient is unmotivated or ambivalent (mixed feelings) to change
Pros: patient sets the agenda, self-efficacy