Unit 2 - Drug Class NS: Anxiety, Mood Disorders And Psychoses

Question 1

Anti-Anxiety Agents (Anxiolytics)

Action, Uses, Drugs

Answer 1

Action: Increases the action of brain chemicals call gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other and it reduces brain activity.

Uses: Treat symptoms of anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder.
4 Classes of Compounds: 
1) Benzodiazepines
2) Paroxtine and Escitalopram
3) Duloxetine and Venlafaxine
4) Buspirone

Drugs: Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam

Question 2

Anti-Deppressants

Action, Uses, Drugs

Answer 2

Action: Treatment is recommended for patients with symptoms of moderate to severe depression.
All antidepressants have varying degrees of effects on norepinephrine, dopamine and serotnin by blocking reuptake and rescuing destruction of these neurotransmitters, thereby prolonging their action.
3 Classes:
1) First generation: MAOIs and TCAs
2) Second generation: SSRIs and SNRIs
3) Miscellaneous Agents: Bupropion, Mirtazapine, Trazodone

Uses: Treats depression manifestations: sleep disturbances, change in appetite, loss of energy, fatigue, palpitations. Symptoms will improve within the first week.
Treats depression symptoms: mood, lack of interest, social withdrawal with 2 -4 weeks.
Drugs: Sertraline, Amitriptyline

Question 3

Anti-Psychotic Agents

Action, Uses, Drugs

Answer 3

Action: Medication blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine in the central nervous system and blocks serotonin receptors.

Uses: Calming the agitated patient who may be a physical threat to himself or herself or to others. Reduce psychomotor agitation and insomnia.

Drugs: Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine

Question 4

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Action, Uses, Drugs

Answer 4

Action: Blocks the action of the enzyme cholinesterase, which is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine. This increases levels of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft(space between two nerve endings).

Uses: Main use is for the treatment of dementia in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Effect on dementia symptoms such as cognition.

Drugs: Tacrine, Donepezil