Depression Flashcards
(142 cards)
Class:
Indications:
MOA:
Dosage forms:
Dosing:
Max dose:
Contraindications:
Warnings:
Side Effects:
Monitoring:
Pearls/Notes:
Drug-Drug/Food interactions:
The causes of depression are poorly understood, but involve some combination of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors. Neurotransmitters believed to be involved with depression include: __________________________
serotonin (5-HT)
norepinephrine (NE)
epinephrine (Epi)
dopamine (DA)
glutamate
acetylcholine (ACh)
________ may be the most important neurotransmitter (NT) involved with feelings of well-being.
(5-HT) serotonin
Diagnosis and treatment of depression is difficult since it is not possible to measure brain chemical imbalances. Diagnosis relies on symptom assessment according to the __________
(DSM-5) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition
The _______1_______ is the most widely used depression assessment scale. It is designed to be used in a medical office. The patient rates their symptoms of depression on a numerical scale, and the total score indicates whether or not depression is present.
This is used ________2___
- Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS or Ham-D)
- after someone is diagnosed with depression. It measures the effectiveness with depression treatment.
Generally, a score of less than 7 indicates the absence of depression.
7-17 = mild depression
18-24 = moderate depression
25 and higher = severe depression
Depression Diagnosis: DSM-5 Criteria
- At least ________ of the following symptoms present during the same two week period (must include Depressed Mood OR Diminished interest/pleasure)
*Remember M SIG E CAPS
- At least 5 of the following symptoms present during the same two-week period (must include Depressed Mood OR Diminished Interest/Pleasure)
Mood- depressed*
Sleep- Increased/decreased
Interest/Pleasure - diminished*
Guilt or feelings of worthlessness
Energy - decreased
Concentration - decreased
Appetite - Increased/decreased
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Suicidal ideation
It is necessary to rule out ________1________ prior to initiating antidepressant therapy to avoid _____2______ or causing rapid-cycling (cycling rapidly between bipolar depression and mania).
Screening forms to assess mood and identify symptoms include questions such as:
(cycling rapidly between bipolar depression and mania).
1) bipolar disorder
2) inducing mania
I get into moods where I feel very “speeded up” or irritable.
When depression and anxiety occur together, ______________ should NOT be used alone; they can worsen and/ or mask depression and can be problematic in patients with concurrent substance use disorders.
benzodiazepines (BZDs)
Key Drugs that Cause or Worsen Depression:
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Cardiovascular medications: Beta-blockers (especially Propranolol)
ADHD medications: atomoxetine (Strattera)
Analgesics: Indomethacin
Antiretrovirals (NNRTIs):
Efavirenz (in Atripla)
Rilpivirine (in Complera, Odefsey)
Hormones:
Hormonal contraceptives
Anabolic steroids
Other:
benzodiazepines
systemic steroids
interferons
varenicline
ethanol
Natural Products: that may be helpful for treating depression, but there is less evidence of efficacy than with standard treatments.
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St. John’s wort
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
valerian
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)
Which natural products can increase the risk for Serotonin Syndrome and SHOULD NOT be used with other serotonergic agents?
St. John’s wort
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)
“St. Johns wort is a broad spectrum CYP450 enzyme inducer with many significant drug interactions, and it can cause PHOTOTOXICITY.”
“Valerian can cause sedation.”
Drug Treatment for Depression:
Treatment for depression can require one or more trials of medication.
If a drug does not work after a suitable trial of at least ______________, treatment should be reassessed. If there is no response then ___________
A thorough patient History is CRITICAL. (Should Help Guide Therapy)
What worked in the past?
What did NOT work?
Any relatives that have depression? What medications have been successful for them?
4-8 weeks
increase dose, switch drug or add on a drug
The effectiveness of the different antidepressant classes is generally comparable.
*The Initial Choice of medication should be based on: _____1________
*For most patients an _______2__________ is preferred OR with “specific concurrent conditions” ________3______ OR ___________4_____
1 - the side effect profile, safety concerns, and patient-specific factors.
2- SSRI or SNRI
3- mirtazapine
4- bupropion
What other specific patient factors “comorbid conditions” need to be considered when deciding patient therapy
- insomnia
- overweight/obese
- neuropathy
Is feeling sad the same as being depressed? _________
The loss of a loved one, losing a job, or ending of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure.
It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such situations. Those that are experiencing loss, often describe themselves as feeling depressed.
NO, being sad is NOT the same as being depressed.
In Grief, painful feelings come in waves, often with positive memories of the deceased and one’s self-esteem is usually maintained.
However, in Major Depression, Mood and/or Interest are decreased for about 2 weeks, symptoms are Persistent, and feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common.
once persistent symptoms impact quality of life this can lead to depression.
A diagnosis of depression is also called ____________
Major depressive disorder or Unipolar depression
- it is when someone has recurrent episodes of depression
Depression is multifactorial. Groups of people that experienced substance abuse or trauma (physical or sexual assault) are at a higher risk of depression.
Drug treatment for depression often involves increasing ____________
serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter
Bipolar Disorder:
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Mood
Energy
Clarity of thinking
Bipolar Disorder:
Can be represented by 2 polar opposite ends.
On one end there would be ____1___
On the other end there would be ____2____
1- Mania “extremely elevated mood/energy”
2- Depressive episodes, where the individual will report with symptoms similar to depressive symptoms when making a diagnosis and assessment
Antidepressants can induce mania (high energy, extreme mood). Antidepressants can also cause rapid-cycling between depression and mania. So, it is important to rule out bipolar disorder before initiating an antidepressant for depression.
Antidepressants can be used in bipolar disorder but often with a mood stabilizer like lithium.
Do NOT use _____________ alone for depression
benzodiazepines
- they do not have a role in depression management
- they do not treat underlying problem
- can mask the symptoms of depression
Boxed Warnings for benzodiazepines include:
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Abuse, misuse, and addiction
physical dependance
withdrawal symptom’s
sedation, respiratory depression and death
C-IV, so should not be used in someone with active or Hx of substance abuse. **Remember substance is an environmental factor that can contribute to depression
Treatment Overview: (Treatment Options for Depression)
After an individual is diagnosed with depression the goal is to ______________. But what type of initial treatment is best to resolve those symptoms?
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resolve the symptoms of depression.
Psychotherapy
Natural Products
Pharmacotherapy
Initial Treatment for Mild symptoms can include:
Psychotherapy “cognitive behavioral therapy” or medication or combination of both