Unit 5 Exam Flashcards
Treatment of MDD in Children
Fluoxetine (Prozac) - >8 years
Escitalopram (Lexapro) - > 12 years
Adjunctive Therapy for MDD
St John’s Wort
SAMe
Omega-3 (efficacy not confirmed)
Folate
St. John’s Wort Risks/Interactions
Increased risk for serotonin syndrome if used with other antidepressants.
Activates CYP450 and has the potential to interact with other meds metabolized by CYP 450 system → Decreases levels of warfarin, theophylline, oral contraceptives, indinavir
SAMe (S-Adenosyl Methionine) MOA
Some data suggest effectiveness
Helps produce and regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes.
Folate Indications
Recommended if the patient has partial response to antidepressants.
Can be taken along with antidepressants.
Benzodiazepine MOA
Binds to GABA-A receptors (inhibitory receptor) in the brain causing them to increase the opening of chloride channels along the cell membrane, leading to an inhibitory effect on cell firing.
Benzo Discontinuation
Taper should take 3-6 months (depending on dose)
Abrupt DC is life-threatening.
Short Acting Benzos
Alprazolam (Xanax) - 6-20 hrs
Oxazepam (Serax) - 8-12 hrs
Intermediate Acting Benzos
Lorazepam (Ativan) - 10-20 hrs
Long Acting Benzos
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) - 30-100 hrs
*Diazepam (Valium) - 30-100 hrs
*Longest half-life
SSRI Onset of Action
Effects of these drugs become apparent within 4-6 weeks of treatment.
Length of therapy for first episodes of depression is 4-6 months AFTER recovery.
Continued treatment beyond the point of recovery drastically reduces the relapse potential over 1-3 years.
*Monitor for serotonin syndrome-med interactions
Examples of SSRIs
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Common Tricyclic antidepressant side effects
Most common → sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and anticholinergic effects (urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation).
Known to cause sexual dysfunction.
The most dangerous adverse effect → cardiac toxicity (AV block, QT prolongation, and ventricular tachycardia).
Other adverse effects: diaphoresis, seizures, hypomania, and yawngasm.
Can exacerbate dementia in older adults.
Best treatment of anxiety/agitation in dementia
Benzodiazepines
Used for periodic anxiety and agitation in older adults with dementia.
SNRI MOA
Potent inhibition of neuronal uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and the weak inhibition of dopamine reuptake.
SSRIs are considered more safe than SNRIs d/t more SE.
SNRI Examples
Desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq) - Treats depression and GAD.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma, Irenka) - Treats anxious and somatic S/S.
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
Milnacipran (Savella)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Side Effects of Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Increases sexual desire and pleasure.
Acts as a stimulant, suppresses appetite.
Lowering the seizure threshold especially when combined with alcohol.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Interactions
Sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine (because they are all CYP450 inhibitors) - can increase bupropion levels.
Can be given together but must be monitored.
MAOIs can increase the risk of bupropion toxicity.
Mirtazapine (Remeron) Uses
Atypical antidepressant
Patients with insomnia, agitation, restlessness, or anorexia and weight loss.
Sedating effects of mirtazapine tend to diminish with acclimation and also ten to be less pronounces with higher doses.
Mirtazapine (Remeron) Side Effects
Sedation (at initiation and low doses)
Appetite increases
Weight gain
Dry mouth
Constipation
Avoid in obese patients because of increased appetite/weight gain.
Discontinuation Syndrome
A non-life threatening syndrome of flu-like symptoms that may occur after abrupt cessation of an SSRI.
Can be minimized by gradually tapering the dose.
Onset depends on half-life of the drug and how long it takes to get out of the body and body to realize its missing.
Effexor and Paxil - most commonly associated.
Treatment of Insomnia
1st line - Hypnotics
2nd line - Sedating Antidepressants
3rd line - Orexin receptor agonists.
*First gen antihistamines can be used.
1st Line Treatment of Insomnia - Hypnotics
Benzos
Benzo receptor agonists
Melatonin receptor agonists
2nd Line Treatment of Insomnia - Sedating Antidepressants
TCAs - Sinequan (Doxepin)
Trazadone
3rd Line Treatment of Insomnia - Orexin receptor agonists
Suvorexant (Belsomra)
First-Gen Antihistamines
Diphenhyramine (Benadryl)
Doxylamine succinate (Unisom)
Examples of Benzos Used for Insomnia
Intermediate agents - Temazepam (Restoril), Ativan, Estazolam (ProSum)
Rapid onset - Flurazepam (Dalmane), Quazepam (Doral)
Examples of Benzo Receptor Agonists (BZRA) Used for Insomnia
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Caution for complex behaviors like sleep-driving.
Examples of Melatonin Receptor Agonists Used for Insomnia
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
1st line if used alone, 2nd if alternating with a BZRA
Special Considerations with the Treatment of Insomnia (Peds/Old/Preg)
Children: Melatonin for a limited amount of time.
Elderly: antihistamines or short-intermediate acting benzo.
Pregnant: Unisom is only Category A agent for sleep.
Treatment Order for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
1st line - Dopamine agonists or Gabapentin Enacarbil (Horizant) - gabapentin prodrug.
Other - Opioids, benzos, anticonvulsants, and iron.
Non-Pharmacologic Treatment of RLS
Mental alerting activities, cessation of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
*** Avoid any meds that precipitate or worsen RLS (antidepressants, dopamine ANTAgonists).
Correction of underlying serum iron deficits.
Treatment Order of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
1st line - SSRIs or SNRIs
2nd Line - TCAs and Buspar
Novel agents - Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Examples of TCA for GAD
Imipramine (Tofranil) is the only TCA with an indication for GAD (effective for controlling panic attacks too).A
Atypical Antipsychotics Use for GAD
Not FDA-approved for anxiety disorders but can be used as adjunctive therapy in patients who did not respond to or are intolerant to conventional therapies.
Atypical Antipsychotics Used for GAD
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Side Effects of Opioids
Respiratory depression
Sedation
Confusion
Nausea/vomiting
Pruritus
Miosis
*Constipation
Urinary retention
*NEVER develop a tolerance to constipation
Treatment of Opioid Related Constipation
Prophylactic bowel regimen →
Mild stimulant or
Osmotic agent plus/minus
Stool softener
Acetaminophen (APAP) MOA
Unknown, but it is postulated that pain may be mediated through PG inhibition in the CNS as a cyclooxygenase-3 (COX-3) inhibitor.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) MOA
Cyclooxygenase, consisting of the isoforms COX-1 and COX-2, is the enzyme involved in the formation of PGs.
Aspirin causes irreversible inactivation of COX-1 and COX-2, whereas nonaspirin NSAIDs cause reversible inactivation.
Nociceptive Pain
Occurs as a result of nerve receptor stimulation following a mechanical, thermal, or chemical insult.
Considered purposeful or functional pain because the pain tells you to stop doing whatever is causing discomfort.
Includes somatic, visceral, and inflammatory.