Midterm Exam Study Guide Flashcards
(37 cards)
LITHIUM
USES
- Lithium is the drug of choice for controlling acute manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorders AND for long-term prophylaxis for against recurrence for mania and/or depression. Gotta stabilize that mood fam.
- Reduced euphoria, hyperactivity, BUT does not cause sedation.
LITHIUM
DANGER
- DANGER DANGER: Because lithium is excreted by the kidneys, watch out for patients who have renal problems! If ya can’t piss it out, we in trouble.
- Dehydration will cause lithium retention , so increase fluids!
- Taking diuretics and drinking alcohol increases your serum lithium levels
LITHIUM
LEVELS
- Maintenance (What we should keep it around): 0.4 - 1.0 mEq/L
- What dose should we give: 900 to 1200 mg
- TOXICITY: Lithium levels must be kept under 1.5 mEq/L, levels above this can produce significant toxicity.
- So make sure, you gotta draw lithium blood levels to see how your body handles it!
LITHIUM
SIDE EFFECTS
- GI effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea.
- Tremor (Produce fine hand tremor)
- POLYURIA - You piss alot, like a bunch. Some patients almost 3 L a day.
- Renal Toxicity (Assess kidney function before treatment
- Goiter & Hypothyroidism
- Teratogenesis
- Use in lactation (Lithium goes into breast milk. So no no lithium guys)
- Rare chance of leukocytosis.
LITHIUM
TOXICITIES TABLE

SIDE EFFECTS OF
MOOD-STABILIZERS
(ANTI-CONVULSANTS)
- Anticonvulsant medications also are used as mood stabilizers.
- DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Life-threatening side effect is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a severe rash which can affect the trunk OR mucous membranes can occur with anticonvulsants, esp. lamotrigine (Lamictal). Advance dose VERY SLOWLY:
- Patient needs regular blood draws to measure therapeutic levels. Can cause weight gain, sleepiness, N&V. May increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
- -Hives, a rash, fever, or swollen glands.
- -Signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which causes dangerous sores on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, genitals, and eyelids.
- -Confusion.
- -Slurred speech.
- -Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- -Trembling.
- -Increased thirst and increased need to urinate.
- -Weight gain in the first few months of use.
- -Drowsiness.

WHICH NEUROTRANSMITTERS
ARE AFFECTED BY
WHICH FAMILIES
OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS (SSRIs, SNRIs)
- SSRI’s (Guys its in the name!!) - Selective SEROTONIN reuptake inhibitors
- SNRI’s - SEROTONIN and NOREPINEPHRINE reuptake inhibitors
- NDRI’s- NOREPINEPHRINE and DOPAMINE reuptake inhibitors
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (TRICK QUESTION), it doesn’t affect a neurotransmitter directly. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme responsible for breaking down the three (Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine). SO by inhibiting the enzyme, we increase the levels of all three! Tho its a bad medication lol…
EPS and Metabolic Syndrome
Which drugs are they associated with
- EPS (Extrapyramidal Symptoms): rigidity, persistent muscle spasms, tremors, restlessness . Parkinsonianism is another type of EPS.
- Metabolic Syndrome: significant weight gain, increased blood sugar, increased triglycerides . This increases risk for CVD and diabetes . Some people get gynecomastia & galactorrhea. Patient’s weight, glucose levels, prolactin levels and lipid levels should be monitored regularly.
FOR ANTIPSYCHOTICS!!!
- First Gen Antipsychs: Causes EPS
- Second Gen Antipsychs: Metabolic syndrome AND a little bit of EPS as well!!

CLOZAPINE
TOXIC EFFECTS
Agranulocytosis
(Must be in registry for it) Make sure neutrophil count above 1500
LITHIUM
TOXIC EFFECTS
DEATH - GAME OVER
convulsions, oliguria.
TOXIC to kidneys and thyroid

ANTIPSYCHOTICS
TOXIC EFFECTS
all antipsychotic medications was determined, that death rates are higher for elderly people with dementia when taking this medication

FGA
FIRST GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS
TOXIC LEVELS
Extrapyramidal Symtoms (EPS)-rigidity, persistent muscle spasms, tremors, restlessness
especially Tardive Dyskinesia - causes repetitive, involuntary movements, such as grimacing and eye blinking (Give Cogentin!)
SGA
SECOND GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS
TOXIC LEVELS
Metabolic Syndrom: significant weight gain, increased blood sugar, increased triglycerides . This increases risk for CVD and diabetes .
Extrapyramidal Symtoms (EPS): rigidity, persistent muscle spasms, tremors, restlessness

SSRI
SELECTIVE SEROTONIC REUPTAKE INHIBITOR
TOXIC LEVELS
Celexa (Citalopram) : Can cause cardiac problems above 40 mg daily dose
ANTIDEPRESSANT
TOXIC LEVELS
Serotonin syndrome
- Agitation or restlessness
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles
- Muscle rigidity
- Heavy sweating
- Diarrhea

MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITOR (MAOI)
TOXIC LEVELS
- Mixing MAOIs with other antidepressants or tyramine foods can cause a hypertensive crisis which can lead to stroke .
- Foods and medicines that contain high levels of tyramine are dangerous for people taking MAOIs . Tyramine is found in some wines, and pickles, smoked meats & cheeses, draft beers.
- This makes me sad, i love my beer and cheese :(

TRI-CYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TCA)
TOXIC LEVELS
Can cause cardiac problems in older individuals.

ANTICONVULSANT MEDS
TOXIC LEVELS
DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!!
Steven-Johnsons syndrome (Eww bad bad)

BENZODIAZEPINE
TOXIC LEVELS
Very addictive, can cause that crack addiction

BENZODIAZEPINE
like drugs (Z-drugs)
TOXIC LEVELS
Cause sleep sex, driving, and sleepy eating!
BENZODIAZEPINE
Benzos are anti-anxiety drugs!!
Benzos promote GABA in the brain. These bad boys work fast and well for anxiety BUT they are physically addictive and cause psychological dependence.
Tolerance can develop quickly. You can get addicted even if you only take them a few times per week. It can take weeks, months or years to detox from them.
SE: They can cause death from respiratory depression when combined with alcohol or opiods. Other possible side effects include: Drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, blurred vision, headache, confusion.
Can be used on inpatient psych units for alcohol detox, catatonia and as take-down meds. Patients should not be discharged with them.
DO NOT USE WITH ALCOHOL OR OPIOIDS (and any cns depressants). You. WIll. Die.
BENZOS only really differ from each other by its potency! Like Xanax is 10 times more potent than valium! Its crazy!!!
CLOZARIL (CLOZAPINE)
Clozapine (Clozaril) can sometimes cause life-threatening agranulocytosis.
People who take clozapine must get their white blood cell counts ( esp. ANC or absolute neutrophiil count) checked every week or two. Patients must be in a “Clozapine Registry” in order to receive the medication.
Clozapine is potentially helpful for people who do not respond to other antipsychotic medications .
Important blood draws and levels
Because risk of agranulocytosis, make sure to monitor both WBC and ANC
IF WBC below 3000/ mm3 - STOP treatment
IF ANC below 1500/ mm3 - STOP treatment
Dangerous side effect is agranulocytosis
METABOLIC SYNDROME and EPS as well!!
WHAT IS
ANXIETY
Anxiety and depression are often two sides of the same coin
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. BASICALLY me before every exam

GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorders)
Experiences excessive or unreasonable worry or apprehension.
- Patients have great difficulty controlling their anxiety. You basically worry about everything- Help
- Medications: Include Benzos (SHORT TERM ONLY!), Busiprone, and Antidepressants for long term care (SSRI or SNRI)











